- Conference
- 2024 National Retired Members Conference
- Date
- 11 June 2024
- Decision
- Carried
From the results of the Survey of Unison Members and non Members between June and July 2012 Unison developed the Ethical Care Charter. Its aim is to encourage local authorities to improve provision in the care sector. The way in which care homes were treated during the recent pandemic shows how little they are valued by government. It is certainly an area which is rightly called the ‘Cinderella service’. The area is not helped by the reduced provision of local authority run care homes meaning that private providers have a great deal of influence on the sector. This Conference believes that elderly vulnerable people should have the benefits of being treated with dignity and care to the highest standard whether in their own house or in a residential home. Since its inception, the Charter has had limited success. Although some local authorities have signed up to its sentiments, there are many which have not. Even where the Charter has been accepted in principle, its practical application has been sadly lacking. Nevertheless the Ethical Care Charter is supported by many Local Councils who are aware of the importance of recruitment and retention of well trained, qualified home care staff. They are also committed to the need for ongoing review. Conference calls upon the National Retired Members Committee to support the Ethical Care Charter and support UNISON’s campaigns for care to be delivered by a well paid and well trained workforce and that its principles are acted upon to the benefit of both providers and users.
North West Regional Retired Members Comittee