Reform-led council calls for more social care visas

The article discusses the upcoming end of the government's Social Care Worker Visa route, which has been used for overseas recruitment in the social care sector. A reform-led council, the Local Government Association (LGA), has called for the government to extend this visa scheme to address the ongoing staffing shortages in the social care industry. The LGA argues that the visa route has been a valuable tool in attracting much-needed social care workers from abroad, and its termination could exacerbate the existing staff shortages. The article notes that the social care sector is facing significant workforce challenges, with high vacancy rates and difficulties in retaining staff. The LGA's call for an extension of the visa scheme reflects the sector's concerns about the potential impact of the scheme's closure on its ability to meet the growing demand for social care services. The article highlights the need for a comprehensive solution to address the long-standing issues in the social care workforce.