When the Health and Care visa route for adult social care roles closed, many were left grappling with the consequences of a system that had expanded at speed and contracted just as quickly. Thousands of international care workers had arrived in the UK full of hope; many then faced sudden redundancy, revoked sponsorships and the risk of exploitation.
In the West Midlands, local authorities, regional bodies and community partners came together not only to manage the immediate crisis but to build the foundations of a more resilient model of workforce support. The International Recruitment (IR) Programme, which was already underway, has become an example of how collaboration can achieve positive change in a dispersed sector.
