‘We need everyone we can get’: The reality of life on the second frontline

Thousands of workers in the social care sector come from overseas – and their value during this crisis is undeniable. But if Priti Patel gets her way, and introduces devastating new immigration rules, the sector will be on its knees, writes Jon Bloomfield

Social care staff are directly in harm’s way (Getty)

The havoc wrought by the coronavirus in care homes and among the frail living at home across Italy, Spain and France is now sweeping across the social care sector in the UK. The government is currently unable to tell us the number of Covid-19 deaths in nursing and care homes. The most basic protective equipment – masks, aprons and gloves – remain in short supply. The dangers to staff grow exponentially as they do jobs where social distancing is physically impossible. As Donna, a domiciliary care manager in Birmingham admits, “staff are scared”. Suddenly, our society is confronted by the reality of life on the second frontline.

There are one and a half million people – predominantly women – working in adult social care doing arduous and harrowing jobs, usually for low pay and with a quarter on zero hours contracts. That raises the social question: do we value them properly? Then there is the migration question. Earlier this week Boris Johnson rightly highlighted the role of overseas nurses in saving his life. Well, it’s similar in the social care sector where a sixth of the workforce comes from overseas. They’re underpaid, overworked and over here. But if home secretary Priti Patel has her way, none will come here in future.

On 19 February, with her usual swagger, Priti Patel announced the government’s new points-based immigration system. It set out new rules and regulations for who can come to work in Britain. From 1 January 2021, entry will be dependent on a written job offer.