Care Provider Maintains A-Rating for Sponsor Licence After Home Office Compliance Audit

We are proud to share another success story from NARA Solicitors.

Our client, a domiciliary care provider, came to us concerned about an upcoming Home Office compliance visit. With sponsor licence revocations in the care sector at record levels, they knew the stakes were high. They wanted to be fully prepared.

Why Compliance Matters More Than Ever

The care sector is facing unprecedented scrutiny from the Home Office. Between July 2024 and June 2025, authorities revoked 1,948 sponsor licences across the UK. That is more than double the 937 revocations recorded in the previous year.

Adult social care providers are among the most affected. The Home Office has identified the sector as having one of the highest levels of non-compliance.
Common issues include inadequate record-keeping, failure to report changes, and problems with sponsored worker documentation.

For care providers, losing a sponsor licence is devastating. It means losing the ability to employ skilled migrant workers. Sponsored employees may need to find new employers within 60 days or leave the UK. For a sector already struggling with staffing shortages, this can threaten the survival of a business.

The Challenge

Our client understood these risks. They had sponsored several care workers and relied on their overseas workforce to deliver quality care to vulnerable people. But they were not confident their internal systems would withstand Home Office scrutiny.

They needed to know whether there were gaps in their compliance, whether their Authorising Officer and key personnel could handle a Home Office interview confidently, and whether their HR records and reporting systems were up to standard.

Our Approach

NARA Solicitors conducted a comprehensive sponsor licence compliance audit designed to mirror the Home Office inspection process.

Our mock audit examined every aspect of their sponsor duties. We reviewed HR systems, record-keeping practices, right to work documentation, and reporting history on the Sponsor Management System. We identified several gaps that could have caused problems during the actual visit.

We worked closely with the client to address these gaps. This included improving document retention procedures, ensuring sponsored worker records were complete and accessible, and reviewing reporting processes.

Home Office compliance visits often involve questioning the Authorising Officer. We carried out practice interviews covering common inspection questions. By the time of the visit, the team knew what to expect and how to respond.

The Outcome

The Home Office conducted the compliance audit. Our client was ready. The business maintained its A-rating. No action was taken against the licence. Sponsored workers continued in their roles without disruption.

This outcome was the result of preparation.The mock audit identified risks early and the improvements closed gaps before inspectors could find them. Interview preparation ensured confident and accurate responses.

Revocations more than doubled in the second quarter of 2024, with authorities moving directly to revocation where serious breaches are found.

For care providers, the message is clear. You cannot afford to wait until an audit notice arrives and a proactive compliance is essential.

A home office style  sponsor licence compliance audit can identify problems before the Home Office does. It gives you time to fix issues, train staff, and strengthen systems.

If you hold a sponsor licence, ask yourself whether your business would pass a Home Office compliance visit today.

How NARA Solicitors Can Help

At NARA Solicitors, we support care providers and other businesses with sponsor licence compliance.

Our services include:

• Mock compliance audits that reflect Home Office inspections
• Gap analysis and remediation before issues escalate
• Key personnel training and interview preparation
• Ongoing sponsor licence management support

Do not wait for the Home Office to take action. Be proactive and prepared.

If your organisation is facing similar risks, NARA Solicitors can help protect your sponsor licence.

Book a consultation with NARA Solicitors today.