Lancashire county council has become the latest council to sign up to UNISON’s Ethical Care Charter, commiting itself to minimum standards for care at home, for the people who receive it and for the workers who provide it.
The charter includes a commitment that carers should not have to rush from client to client, allowing only the most limited visits, and that people should, wherever possible, keep the same carer.
Lancashire UNISON branch secretary Elaine Cotterell said that the union was “delighted that the county council has adopted UNISON’s Ethical Care Charter.
“It demonstrates a clear commitment to ensure that staff are properly rewarded and respected for the work they do with vulnerable people in our communities.
“Home care workers are dedicated to providing the best care that they can. The council’s adoption of the charter enables good employment conditions and quality training, which helps to reduce staff turnover and improve the quality of care for service users.”
Council leader, Jennifer Mein said: “We are committed to making sure that people across the county receive the high-quality homecare that we would all want for our loved ones – and for ourselves.
“This means recognising everyone who receives homecare as an individual person, with his or her own particular needs, together with rewarding homecare workers properly for the vital services they provide every day to thousands of Lancashire people.
“The Ethical Care Charter sets the benchmark for the future of homecare in Lancashire, and we are very proud to have signed up to it.”
The county council is currently changing the way it organises homecare. These changes will require providers to adopt the principles set out in the charter.
Providers will have to minimise zero-hours contracts, pay at least the national minimum wage – currently £6.31 per hour – and move towards paying a living wage of £7.65 per hour.
