Standing Up Against Exploitation in the UK Care Sector

A recent BBC investigation has exposed something that those of us working in the care sector, particularly in private homecare, have been seeing for far too long: the mistreatment of migrant care workers brought to the UK under the Health and Care Worker visa.

These are individuals who’ve left everything behind, family, jobs, communities, in search of a better life, and to support the NHS and the country’s growing need for social care. In return, many find themselves trapped in exploitative, sometimes abusive, employment situations.

At Bespoke Care and Support Services, an award-winning homecare provider based in Huddersfield, we can’t ignore this. We won’t ignore it. And we believe it’s time more providers spoke out.

A Broken System — And the Real People Behind It

The BBC shared the story of Sophia, a care worker from Zimbabwe who arrived in the UK after paying thousands in recruitment fees. Instead of opportunity, she found herself working 16-hour days, living in overcrowded accommodation, and threatened with deportation if she dared to speak up.

Sadly, her story isn’t isolated. Since 2022, the Home Office has revoked the sponsorship licences of over 470 care providers, many of them in homecare, due to illegal or unethical treatment of overseas staff.

In Huddersfield and across Kirklees, we’ve seen the consequences of this up close. Several workers have joined Bespoke Care after fleeing unsafe or abusive working environments. They came to us underpaid, overworked, and often terrified, having been misled into thinking they weren’t allowed to leave their sponsor or change employers.

Understanding the Law, and the Lies

Let’s clear something up: care workers brought into the UK under the Skilled Worker visa can change their sponsor. If another licensed provider offers them a role and issues a Certificate of Sponsorship, they are absolutely allowed to switch.

But that’s not what many of them are being told.

We recently welcomed Adam, who’d been harassed by his former employer after handing in his notice. They made false allegations, attempted to slander him, and even called us out of hours to continue their intimidation. We called them back, explained the law, and made it very clear we weren’t tolerating it. The call didn’t last long after that.

Then there’s Peter, who came to us after his previous employer told him he’d be reported to safeguarding and the DBS if he left, all because he was trying to reduce his shifts before transferring his visa to us. That’s not just misinformation, it’s deliberate, targeted fearmongering.

Both Adam and Peter are now thriving members of our team. That’s what happens when workers are treated with fairness and respect, not threats and control.

Why This Matters in Homecare

This isn’t just about immigration. It’s about the integrity of the private homecare sector, especially here in Huddersfield. We know that the quality of care depends entirely on the wellbeing of the people delivering it.

When care workers are respected, supported, and protected, that shows up in the care our clients receive. But when workers are afraid to speak up or move on, the entire system suffers, including the families relying on it.

At Bespoke Care and Support Services, we’ve built our reputation on ethical recruitment, open communication, and a zero-tolerance approach to exploitation. That’s part of what makes us an award-winning homecare provider, not just because of the services we deliver, but because of the people behind them.

Our Commitment to Fairness and Care

We’re proud to be a part of the homecare community in Huddersfield, but we won’t shy away from calling out the harm that’s happening within it. Exploitation thrives in silence. And we don’t do silence.

We’re here to offer care that’s ethical, lawful, and grounded in basic human decency. That’s not just good practice, it’s the bare minimum. We believe in care without fear, and work without coercion.