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Guide for migrant homecare workers

Life is uniquely difficult for migrant homecare workers in the UK. From not being provided the promised level of work, to being on the road all hours, having no recourse to public funds and unable to switch employers: the problems go far deeper than the deceptively low pay which affects almost all homecare workers.

 

Below is guidance you may find helpful, compiled by and for homecare workers.

 

Please see other pages of our website for information about issues affecting all homecare workers, such as unpaid gaps between visits and low mileage rates.

Labour exploitation and modern slavery

Here is Unseen's guide for spotting the signs of labour exploitation.

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If you believe yourself or somebody else is being exploited by an employer, you can:

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  • Seek confidential advice and guidance via the UK Modern Slavery and Exploitation Helpline. This is run by the charity Unseen. With your permission they may refer you to relevant agencies for further support.

  • Report serious abuse or exploitation at work via the UK’s government’s Fair Work Agency here

  • Complain about pay and work rights via the UK’s government’s Fair Work Agency here

If you are not being provided the work you were promised

You may be able to bring an Employment Tribunal claim against your employer if you are not being provided the work you were promised. In May 2026, a migrant care worker was awarded £30,000 after not being given work upon arriving in the UK. The Work Rights Centre who handled this landmark case have provided the following advice for people in a similar position:

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A. Keep records of

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1. Your attempts to secure work from your sponsor to demonstrate that you were 'ready, willing and able' to work. This could be emails or WhatsApp messages showing you asked for work to be provided, including clear date and time stamps.

 

2. Your terms of employment i.e. what was promised by the employer and any communication with them

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B. Notify ACAS 

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If you are still employed and the issue is ongoing, notify ACAS immediately, as you have 3 months -1 day to bring an Employment Tribunal claim following a breach. If you resigned or were dismissed for than three months ago, you will likely be out of time to bring an Employment Tribunal claim.​

Finding a new sponsor

It is often extremely difficult to find a new sponsor once you are already in the UK. Here is our best advice:

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If your sponsor’s license remains active, consult Autonomy’s Care Visa Sponsor database. Please note that just because an employer appears on this database, it does not guarantee that they will employ staff according to decent pay and conditions.

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If your sponsor’s license has been revoked, you should be officially classed as a ‘displaced worker’. In this scenario, your nearest Regional Partnership (sometimes known as International Recruitment Hubs) has been funded by the UK government and has a responsibility to help you find a new sponsor. Contact them immediately. 

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Homecare Voices’ list of Regional Partnerships

Official list of Regional Partnerships on GOV.UK

More information about Regional Partnerships on GOV.UK

More information about finding a new sponsor is available on this webpage from the Work Rights Centre.

Financial hardship

Other organisations

The following organisations exist specifically to support and represent migrant workers. You may wish to contact them. If you know of any others, please let us know and we will add them to this list:

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Campaigns

Various organisations have secured the funding necessary to run campaigns on behalf of migrant care workers. We encourage you to get involved in these campaigns where you can. If you know of any other campaigns taking place, please let us know and we will add them to this list:

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Learn more on Discord

There is a dedicated channel about this topic ⬆️ on our private Discord. To seek informal advice, discuss your own situation and support others, join Homecare Voices.

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