Vicky Haines, Managing Director of Kingsway Care, spoke candidly about the serious impact of the UK Government's decision to end visas for overseas care workers — appearing on BBC Radio Sussex and LBC to represent the sector.
Listen to Vicky's interview with BBC Radio Sussex in the video above.
Kingsway Care responds to the immigration visa ban for overseas care workers
In her BBC Radio Sussex interview, Vicky highlighted the stark realities faced by care providers already struggling with recruitment and retention. She warned that this policy change could have far-reaching consequences for the entire sector.
A significant impact on our business
When asked what effect this immigration policy change would have, Vicky didn't mince her words.
It would have a significant impact. We've got six overseas workers in a team of 32 carers and we are always advertising for domestic workforce and we have very little response.
— Vicky Haines, Managing Director, Kingsway Care
For Kingsway Care, and many similar organisations, international recruitment has been a lifeline. Despite regular recruitment campaigns, interest from UK-born workers remains persistently low.
The misconception of care as "low-skilled" work
One of the major barriers, Vicky explained, is the outdated and damaging perception of care work as "low-skilled."
The whole narrative around it being a low-skilled job is just completely ridiculous… all of these carers going out every day taking responsibility for people's lives — they certainly don't fall into the low-skilled category.
— Vicky Haines, Managing Director, Kingsway Care
Carers, both UK-born and from overseas, deliver complex, person-centred care with professionalism and compassion. The term "low-skilled" simply doesn't reflect the reality of the role.
Chronic underfunding holds the sector back
While Kingsway Care, as a primarily private provider, pays its carers a fair wage, many care providers rely on local authority funding — and that funding is far too low to support competitive pay.
Lots of providers who have local authority funded clients, they just cannot because the rates that they're getting from the government are so low.
— Vicky Haines, Managing Director, Kingsway Care
This underfunding directly undermines efforts across the sector to make care a more attractive and respected career choice. Providers are doing their best to change the narrative and improve pay and working conditions. However, government policy continues to hold them back.
Recruitment challenges won't disappear overnight
Vicky pushed back against the idea that reducing overseas recruitment would encourage more UK citizens to enter the sector.
Stopping overseas workers coming to work in care homes here — that's not suddenly going to mean that people in this country go, 'I'll go and work in that sector.' That's just not going to happen.
— Vicky Haines, Managing Director, Kingsway Care
Despite a strong team of committed UK carers at Kingsway Care, filling vacancies remains an ongoing struggle. The reality is clear: removing overseas workers without a viable plan to replace them will only deepen the crisis.
Overseas carers are not strangers — they're valued team members
Vicky also expressed her dismay at the language used in political discourse around immigration.
To hear the language used yesterday about them being strangers is really, really sad… they come over, they're hugely committed, motivated, got wonderful relationships with their clients. They're welcomed into their homes.
— Vicky Haines, Managing Director, Kingsway Care
Overseas carers are not only essential to service delivery — they're respected and deeply valued by both their colleagues and the clients they care for.
Looking ahead
As Kingsway Care continues to champion quality care and fair treatment for both clients and carers, Vicky's comments are a powerful reminder that real change is needed. The government must reconsider its approach, invest in the care sector, and recognise the vital contributions of all carers — no matter where they come from.
If we are to create a care sector that people are proud to join, we need policies that reflect its value — not ones that cut off essential support and talent.
About Kingsway Care
Kingsway Care is an award-winning home care provider based in Brighton & Hove. We support people to live independently in their own homes with dignity, joy, and purpose — and we believe in recognising and celebrating the value of every carer, UK-born and international alike.
Want to know more?
Read Vicky's piece on LBC, find out about our related news, or join our team.
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