Tackling the UK Care Staff Shortage: How Penhellis Hires International Workers with Nation.better
Penhellis Community Care, a prominent name in Cornwall’s healthcare sector since 1993, has always stood out for its commitment to providing compassionate, high-quality care to vulnerable adults across the region. With years of experience, Penhellis operates from offices in Helston, Roche, and Liskeard, helping clients maintain their independence with personalised care solutions.
In a pursuit of international talent, Penhellis partnered with Nation.Better in November 2023. By welcoming Skilled Workers from around the world, the company is reinforcing its commitment to delivering exceptional care while embracing a more diverse and dynamic team and battling against the staff shortage in the UK.
Company: Penhellis Community Care
Industry: Healthcare
Total employees: 250
Sponsored employees: 27
Immigration route: Skilled Worker Visa
We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Lee Sturgess, International Recruitment at Penhellis, to discuss the company’s journey to hiring from abroad, the challenges they faced with staffing shortages, and their partnership with Nation.better.
Why Did Penhellis Choose to Hire International Care Workers?
“There’s a shortage of care staff in the UK. We were struggling to find employees locally, and it became clear we needed to look outside the UK to meet the demand. We started hiring internationally in November 2023 to make sure we could continue providing quality care.
“The shortage is particularly tough in regions like Cornwall where there’s already a smaller labour pool to draw from. By starting to hire internationals, we were able to tap into a global workforce that is highly skilled and motivated.”
What Key Qualities Do You Seek in Care Workers and How Do International Recruits Meet These Standards?
“There aren’t any specific countries we hire from, but the majority of our workers are from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and African countries. They tend to have strong experience in the care sector, and they come with a work ethic that really aligns with what we need at Penhellis. The candidates we take on are already in the UK – either they are on a different type of visa or looking for a new job offer to extend their Skilled Worker Visa.
“What’s really key for us is that they bring a diversity of skills and cultural understanding, which enriches our team. At the same time, they meet all our standards for communication, which is crucial when you’re working with elderly clients. Everyone we hire must speak fluent English because clear communication is a fundamental part of care – it’s also one of the requirements for them to get a visa.”
What Are the Specific Benefits of Hiring Internationally?
“The main benefit is that we’ve been able to hire high-skilled workers. We only recruit people who are qualified to work in care; the ones who are dedicated to their job.
“Hiring internationally allows us to maintain high standards of care, and the workers we bring in are often more motivated because they’ve gone through a lot of complex bureaucratic processes to work here. Their sincere commitment to the job ensures excellent service for our clients.”
What Challenges Did Penhellis Face Before Partnering With Nation.better?
“We didn’t know how to go about international recruitment ourselves. It was new to us, and we weren’t equipped to handle the complexities. The recruitment process, especially when it comes to the Skilled Worker Visa, involves a lot of paperwork and legal requirements. That’s why we turned to Nation.better for help – the team guided us through every step and simplified the hiring process immensely.”
What Is the Recruitment Process Like with Nation.better?
“After reaching out, we had a meeting with Larisa, Nation.better’s founder and CEO, where she clearly explained how the process would work. The whole team was very professional and walked us through every detail so we knew what to expect.
“Now it has become a well-rehearsed process: we come to Nation.better with a candidate in mind, and the team conducts eligibility checks. If a candidate complies with all the requirements, Nation.better moves forward with the Skilled Worker Visa application.
“One of the main assets for us is the Nation.betetr’s platform – it’s very straightforward to use. Also, your team is exceptionally efficient in communication: even when small issues come up, like entering the wrong information, your managers are very quick to fix things for us.
“The entire recruitment process is efficient and smooth, which allowed us to hire our first care givers in December, about a month after we started working together.”
How Does Penhellis Support International Workers After They Are Hired?
“We do regular welfare and wellbeing checks: the first one is conducted during the interview process, another at the end of their training, and then every three months after that. These checks help ensure that our employees are settling into their roles and the community. Penhellis also holds team meetings where new recruits are introduced to their colleagues and clients, as well as regular Modern Slavery trainings. It’s important because it’s one company, one team.
“Moreover, Penhellis provides an induction package to the newcomers. Navigating life in the UK can be challenging for new arrivals, so we also support them in setting up basic necessities: registering with a GP, accessing healthcare services, and finding suitable living arrangements – we always make sure they are not overcrowded. We’re there for them every step of the way to ensure they have what they need to feel comfortable in a new environment.”
What Are Penhellis’s Future Plans for International Recruitment?
“The international hiring is continually going mad. The demand for care workers is still really high. I get around 20 emails a day from people asking for sponsorship, which also shows that there’s still a large pool of candidates eager to work in the care sector. So, for now, we’re focused on growing our team with the help of Nation.better.”
Can You Share a Success Story from Your International Recruitment?
“The most memorable story involves a young man from Nepal. He walked into our office with nothing but his bags – he had no job, no money, and no place to stay. We saw potential in him and offered him immediate support. Penhellis found temporary accommodation for the young man, gave him work, and helped him get a Skilled Worker Visa with Nation.better. Now, his life has completely turned around – he has a job, he’s living in a proper house, and his wife has joined him in the UK. I think that’s our biggest success story – it reminds us why international recruitment is so crucial.
“I believe it’s important to be multicultural. It took a little time for Cornwall in particular to get used to international workers, but now we receive regular compliments from our clients and their relatives – they are all very content with the care our sponsored employees provide.”
How Can Nation.Better Assist Your Company?
Nation.Better is dedicated to helping UK businesses, like Penhellis Community Care, successfully navigate the complexities of hiring skilled international workers. Our team provides hands-on support through every step of the process, from securing a Sponsor Licence, getting the Certificate of Sponsorship to Skilled Worker Visa applications and ensuring ongoing compliance with legal requirements.
For employers looking to enhance their workforce with international talent, we offer tailored solutions that make the hiring process manageable and stress-free. Whether you’re addressing staffing shortages or seeking to diversify your team, Nation.Better can help you unlock international talent and build a stronger future for your business.
Let us support you in creating opportunities and fostering growth through international recruitment – start with a free consultation with our team.
