Chief Inspector calls for evidence on Home Office and the social care sector

The Independent Chief Inspector is interested in assessing the extent to which the Home Office’s immigration functions support the social care sector.

The remit of the inspection is expected to adopt a ‘broad perspective’ on the interaction between the UK’s immigration system and the social care sector.

The inspection will look at the effectiveness and efficiency of the health and care worker visa route, as well as the extent and quality of communication and engagement between the Home Office and the social care sector. It will also look at the current suitability of the Home Office’s licencing system for health and care worker visa sponsorship and the effectiveness of the Home Office’s compliance requirements on sponsors, including how these safeguard employees from exploitation.

The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration is an independent monitoring body of the Home Office. It monitors and reports on the efficiency and effectiveness of the immigration, asylum, nationality and customs functions carried out by the Home Secretary and by officials and others on her behalf. The Chief Inspector is a public appointee and independent from government, his reports are laid before Parliament.

The call for evidence will remain open until 11 September 2023.

Chief Inspector David Neal said he would be pleased to hear both what is working well and what could be improved, and that information received in response to this call for evidence will play an important part in defining the scope and focus of the inspection.

Submissions touching on any and all areas of interest to the sector, including those that may not be mentioned above, are therefore welcome.