New platform launched to help exploited care workers in the UK
A recent survey conducted by Lifted Talent, a care provider and technology platform for ethical care recruitment, has revealed concerning statistics regarding overseas care workers in the UK. The survey, which targeted those looking for new roles, has prompted the launch of a new platform called SponsorSwitch.
Under the Health and Social Care Visa scheme, overseas care workers must be sponsored by an employer to work in the UK. However, the survey found that 1 in 5 recipients had not done any work for their employer, despite being legally obligated to do so. Additionally, 40% of recipients are living on less than £120 a week, despite Home Office rules stating they should be paid a minimum of £446.25 a week.
In response to these findings, Lifted Talent has launched SponsorSwitch, which aims to match exploited care workers with ethical care employers in the UK. The platform also assists workers in finding housing and vehicles, and automates all Home Office compliance to ensure employers do not fall foul of the rules.
Rachael Crook, CEO of Lifted Talent, commented on the platform, saying, “The UK has a huge shortage of care workers. The Health and Social Care Visa scheme has brought enormous benefits to our sector. However, it is being undermined by a small number of unscrupulous companies. This has led to people being brought to this country and promised a new life, only to find they are exploited or left without work.”
The Homecare Association, a leading industry body, is also supporting the platform, with CEO Dr Jane Townson OBE stating, “These survey results show why it is so vital that we provide opportunities for sponsored care workers without adequate work, for whatever reason, to find new roles with the thousands of excellent home care providers in this country.”
Several leading care companies have already found new staff through the platform, including Right at Home UK and Walfinch. Lucy Campbell, CEO of Right at Home UK, spoke about the importance of the platform in addressing the workforce shortage in the care sector.
Amrit Dhaliwal, CEO of Walfinch, echoed this sentiment, saying, “We support SponsorSwitch delivered by Lifted Talent, a new platform which enables care companies to sponsor new staff internationally, ethically and with full compliance.”
Lifted Talent was founded by Rachael Crook, a former Senior Advisor in the Prime Minister’s Implementation Unit and an Obama Leader. Crook has firsthand experience as a young carer for her mother, who was diagnosed with dementia when she was just 24. She also runs Lifted Care, an award-winning home care company.
The platform has already helped care workers such as Linda, May*, and Patience, who have all faced exploitation in their roles. Linda came to the UK from Zimbabwe in 2023, expecting full-time work as a domiciliary care worker. However, she was only given less than 10 hours of work a week, earning less than £120 a week. She was later referred to SponsorSwitch and is now working full-time with a supportive care company.
May*, on the other hand, was recruited from South Africa and was charged £3,300 for her Certificate of Sponsorship. She was referred to SponsorSwitch and is now working with a friendly and respectful care company in Worthing.
Lastly, Patience was forced to work 70 hours a week and was threatened by her employer that her sponsorship would be withdrawn if she complained or was unwell. She was also referred to SponsorSwitch and will soon start working with a more supportive care company in Worthing.
The platform has received support from industry leaders, and its launch is seen as a step towards addressing the shortage of care workers and ensuring that overseas workers are treated ethically and fairly.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.