Homecare services

Homecare is an essential service which gives people independence, supports families and saves lives. Today across the UK over 500,000 adults who are elderly, disabled or mentally ill receive homecare services through their local council. But that number has fallen by around a third since the mid-nineties as councils are increasingly rationing help only to those with the most critical needs.

There are more than 200,000 homecare workers in the UK and UNISON represents members working in homecare across the public, private and voluntary sectors. Competition driven by cost-cutting is pushing down pay and conditions. This is causing chronic staff turnover and recruitment problems - making it difficult for people to form meaningful relationships with their care staff. As councils seek to save money they are cutting their well-trained homecare staff and replacing them with private agencies who promise to do it cheaper. Many of these agencies cut wages, don't train or vet staff, cut visit times and deliver poor services which are letting people down.

UNISON is campaigning for more funding and better quality for homecare services and we need your support.

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