The Home Office has commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to undertake a review of the impact that ending freedom of movement has had on adult social care.
A letter from immigration minister Kevin Foster to MAC chairman Professor Brian Bell states the review should examine the post-Brexit effects on skills shortages, covering the range of roles in adult social care including care workers, registered nurses and managerial roles.
MAC will also look at visa options for social care workers and the long-term consequences for workforce recruitment, training and employee terms and conditions.
A report due by April 2022 is expected to provide recommendations on how the government can address the issues that the sector is experiencing with the immigration system and to highlight wider issues such as employee terms and conditions.
The MAC is free to consult with devolved administrations, government departments, local authorities and other stakeholders as it deems necessary, as well as make a public call for evidence to the social care sector.
“The government will consider the recommendations and determine the appropriate course of action to take where it relates to reserved matters,” wrote Foster (pictured).
“Where any recommendations relate to matters which are devolved, it will be the responsibility of the Scottish Government, Welsh Government or Northern Ireland Executive to determine how these should be taken forward,” he added.
