The UK care sector is facing one of its most challenging periods in recent history. Care homes and nursing homes across the country are under immense pressure to deliver high-quality care while navigating an increasingly limited pool of staff.

The Current Staffing Crisis in UK Care Homes

Recent figures paint a stark picture:

• According to the Adult Social Care Workforce Survey (April 2025), 71% of care providers say recruiting staff is challenging, and more than a third fear they will not be able to sustain current service delivery in the next six months.

• The Government’s Immigration White Paper (May 2025) has introduced restrictions ending overseas recruitment for new care and senior care workers via the Health & Care visa route from July 2025. This means fewer international workers will be available to support our sector.

• Meanwhile, demand for care continues to grow. In 2024, only 86 net new care home beds were created across the UK, despite the over-65 population rising by more than 20% over the last decade.

Why Care Providers Need Agency Staff for Care Homes

The combined effect of tighter immigration rules, limited capacity growth, and increasing demand is clear: care providers must rethink how they staff their homes. Relying solely on permanent recruitment is no longer enough. Staff shortages, sickness, and turnover create gaps that can place both compliance and quality of care at risk.

This is where flexible, reliable support becomes critical—particularly through temporary healthcare staff and trusted agency staff for care homes.

Our Role: Supplying Qualified Nurses and HCAs

At Nursingjobsuk, we specialise in supplying qualified Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) and nurses to care homes and nursing homes across the UK on a temporary basis. Our mission is simple: to help care providers deliver consistent, high-quality care even during times of staffing pressure.

Here’s what sets us apart:

Qualified professionals – Every member of our team is carefully vetted, trained, and compliant.

Rapid response – We fill staffing gaps quickly, ensuring continuity of care when you need it most.

Flexibility – Whether you need cover for a single shift, short-term leave, or longer assignments, we adapt to your needs.

By choosing us, care providers gain access to reliable agency staff for care homes, helping them maintain safe staffing levels and peace of mind.

Looking Ahead: Building a Flexible Workforce for the Future

While policy changes and demographic pressures create uncertainty, what remains constant is the need for compassionate, skilled staff in care homes. By partnering with a trusted staffing provider, care homes can navigate these challenges with confidence, focusing on what matters most: the wellbeing of residents.

Sources: Adult Social Care Workforce Survey, April 2025, RWK Goodman on Immigration White Paper, FT: Care Home Bed Capacity