International Social Care Workers in England: their profile, motivations, experiences & expectations Dr Shereen Hussein, Senior Research Fellow Prof Jill Manthorpe, Director Dr Martin Stevens, Research Fellow

The Study: data sources (July Sept 2009) Quantitative analysis of national data National Minimum Data Set for Social Care (NMDS-SC) Proxy of recently arrived international workers in the sector (5,118) General Social Care Council (GSCC) register of social workers Stock of international social workers working in England (7,200) National perspectives, phone interviews Recruitment agency managers (20) Key stakeholders (15) Study sites, in-depth interviews (6 sites, including local authority and independent sector) International workers (96) Employers/human resource managers (39) Frontline workers/colleagues (not migrants) (27) Refugees & asylum seekers (23) People using services and carers (35) 2

Findings 1: Why recruit international workers? Meet staff shortfalls: Demographic changes and high demand Staff shortages ascribed to: Status, pay, unclear career path, stress Perceived attributes of international workers: Hard working; highly motivated; appreciate jobs (and the pay) Bring something new International learning Knowledge of service users needs from similar backgrounds 3

The English social care sectors drivers for recruiting international social care workers in England 4

Findings 2: International Social Workers profile and trends - GSCC data Over half (54%) trained in: Australia, South Africa, US and India. Some recent changes (see chart overleaf) slight decline of those trained in India and slight increase from A8 Significantly younger than UK-qualified social workers: An average difference of 11 years Youngest group from A8 (mean age 30.9 years) Those identified as White are younger Trend towards younger workers in the past 3 years More men, particularly from South Central Asia & West Africa Slightly more are employed through agencies (9% versus 5%) Over half (57%) reported their ethnicity as White 5

Trends of international social workers world region of training in England, GSCC international SW register 6

Findings 3: Profiles of recently arrived international social care workers compared to others - NMDS data Most work as care workers, nurses and senior care workers More men, particularly among care workers Significantly younger, by an average of seven years Variations in job roles by reported ethnicity Asians more likely to be senior care workers Black more likely to be nurses White Other more likely to be ancillary, not care providing, staff Higher levels of qualifications Less likely to hold managerial roles More likely to be employed in the private sector followed by the voluntary sector 7

Results of logistic regression; dependent variable: most recent job abroad, NMDS 8

Findings 4: Why join the English social care workforce? (interview data) Three sets of motives to join the UK (see chart overleaf) Observed variations by country of birth Positive views about the UK remained important Wish to learn English language higher among EU workers Financial motives higher among Filipinos Following spouse quite common, especially EU + other Motivations to join the care sector - in descending order (order varies by country of birth) Altruism Better than previous job Easy to get into Fits previous skills 9

Main motivations discussed by international social care workers ordered according to how strongly each theme was represented in the study sites interviews 10

International workers main motivations to join the social care sector in England by country of birth 11

Findings 5: Refugees & asylum seekers as potential social care workers Clear potential to join the sector Two-directional benefits Particular barriers Lack of UK experience Language skills limited Qualification recognition hard Prejudice and racism experienced Possible strategies Move from a deficit human capital model to a more holistic approach Reach out early Promote volunteering Better liaison with refugee support organisations Access to training and support (including language) 12

Findings 6: Factors affecting international workers experiences Recruitment route (from abroad vs. when in the UK) Visible needs and thus level of induction and support Levels of skills and qualifications Language skills Relevant previous experiences Historical & current links between UK and home country Length of stay in the UK Personal factors Migration status Family commitments Prejudice and racism The role of colour Geographic and local population effects 13

Findings 7: What next? International workers satisfaction & plans Some disappointments: Social care image Limited training and qualification opportunities Racism Levels of pay and workload Overall high job satisfaction levels But some feel they should be… Plans Vary by birth country and migration status Mobility - both geographical (to N America) and sectoral (eg to NHS) Family commitments Ambitions 14

Implications Service users and carers Overall good levels of satisfaction Some need to address communication levels and language Prejudice and racism in the community Colleagues May also experience exploitation & discrimination Support around cultural competence Gain new perspectives Workforce Structure and composition - changing Skills matrix – how to relate to replacement NVQ? Staff retention – will this last? How so/can managers deal with racism, diversity and dynamics? 15

Wider implications How to square exclusion of non EU staff from training to demand for training? Monitor effects of points system More and tailored information on social care practice e.g. through SCIE Explain delays/proffer reasons for qualification recognition problems, etc. Time needed for recently arrived international workers to overcome initial barriers Provide role models and recognition 16

Thank You to all those who participated and helped with this study For further details and a copy of the report, contact: 17