- Conference
- 2026 National Women's Conference
- Date
- 9 October 2025
- Decision
- Carried
This Conference recognises the increasing number of Black women arriving in the UK on Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) visas, particularly to work in health and social care roles. These women are often essential to the frontline workforce, yet face severe challenges when migrating with children.
Despite their vital contribution, many are ineligible for public funds due to visa restrictions. This excludes them from accessing state-funded childcare schemes, including 15- or 30-hour free childcare, Universal Credit childcare support, and other early years programmes.
The cost of private childcare is often unaffordable on CoS salaries, leaving many women in a cycle of financial strain and forced to make difficult choices about their employment, working hours, or even leaving their jobs altogether. The problem is compounded by:
• Unsociable working hours in care roles;
• Lack of local family or community support;
• Racial and migrant discrimination in service access;
• Limited knowledge of local childcare options or rights.
These intersecting barriers disproportionately impact Black women, many of whom are single parents or main caregivers, leading to exhaustion, isolation, and mental health challenges. They are expected to care for others professionally while struggling to care for their own children due to lack of support.
This situation is unjust and undermines the principles of equality and dignity in work that UNISON stands for.
Conference calls on the National Women’s Committee to:
1. Work with Labour Link and UNISON policy teams to campaign for fairer access to childcare support for migrant women on CoS visas;
2. Raise awareness of these issues across branches and regions, encouraging solidarity and targeted support;
3. Develop resources for migrant women to better navigate childcare systems;
4. Promote employer-provided childcare assistance schemes and advocate for flexible working policies;
5. Ensure the voices of Black migrant women are central to future union campaigns on childcare, immigration, and workplace equality.
