April 14, 2026 - 293 views
Care homes across North Wales are warning they may soon be forced to turn away some of the region’s most vulnerable residents as a growing staffing crisis threatens to overwhelm the sector.
In a stark intervention ahead of the 2026 Senedd election on May 7, Care Forum Wales (CFW) has sounded the alarm over tightening immigration rules, saying they are cutting off a vital supply of overseas workers who have become essential to keeping services afloat.
Representing more than 400 care providers across the private and third sectors, the organisation says the situation is being driven by a perfect storm: an ageing population, a shrinking pool of working-age people, and increasing demand for complex care, particularly for those living with dementia.
In its election manifesto, CFW makes clear that international recruitment is no longer a temporary fix but a fundamental part of the system—especially in rural communities where finding local staff has become increasingly difficult. Without it, the consequences could be severe.
Domiciliary care services, which support people in their own homes, are also under mounting pressure. Providers fear they simply do not have the capacity to meet rising demand, raising the prospect of more people going without the care they need to remain independent.
At the heart of the crisis, CFW argues, is a visa system that has become increasingly restrictive. Changes introduced by the UK Government—including limits on dependants and tougher recruitment conditions—have not only reduced the number of new applicants but are also prompting existing overseas workers to reconsider their future in Wales.
The result is a deepening workforce shortage that is already having knock-on effects across the health system, contributing to delayed hospital discharges and longer waiting times within the NHS.
CFW is now urging the next Welsh Government to follow the example set by the Scottish Government, which has stepped in with direct sponsorship for displaced overseas care workers. Backed by £500,000 in funding, Scotland’s scheme helps international staff already in the UK to relocate and continue working in social care—offering a more stable and ethical route into the profession.
CFW chair Mario Kreft has strongly rejected claims that care work is “low skilled”, describing overseas staff as highly trained professionals who played a crucial role during the pandemic and remain the backbone of frontline services.
He said the idea that international workers are a cheap alternative is simply wrong, pointing out that employers often invest heavily in recruitment and are required to pay overseas staff above the Real Living Wage. The real issue, he warned, is that not enough local people are willing to take on the demanding and highly skilled work that care roles require.
Without urgent action, Mr Kreft warned, the consequences could be “potentially horrendous”. Care homes may be forced to reduce the number of residents they support or close altogether, while domiciliary care services could scale back operations—leaving more elderly people without support.
The ripple effects would be felt far beyond social care. As staffing shortages worsen, more patients could find themselves stuck in hospital beds because there is no care available in the community, placing even greater strain on an already stretched NHS.
“This isn’t just a social care issue,” Mr Kreft said. “It’s a national crisis.”
With providers already struggling financially, the warning is clear: unless ministers act to reform visa rules and secure a sustainable workforce, Wales risks a system where vulnerable people are left without care—and the health service is pushed ever closer to breaking point.
