Nottingham has become the latest council to sign up to UNISON’s Ethical Care Charter, promising to work toward decent pay and training for staff who care for elderly and vulnerable people.
UNISON represents workers who allow people to live independently in their own homes for longer, working for both the council and private providers, whose services are commissioned by the council.
They help with day-to-day tasks such as cleaning, shopping and food preparation and cooking, as well as personal care.
By the signing the charter in National Carers’ Week, the council has committed itself to quality care standards which provide dignity for care users, as well as decent pay, training and conditions for the workers who provide that care.
Signing the charter alongside Cllr Alex Norris, who has responsibility for adult care and health, was UNISON Nottingham City branch secretary Christina Sanna.
“I’m delighted that Nottingham council has agreed to commit to UNISON’s Ethical Care Charter, which seeks to bring about better treatment for our members working in homecare leading to even better care for Nottingham’s elderly and disabled citizens,” she said
Cllr Norris commented: “It’s important that we make sure our homecare workers have the right training and working conditions to give the best care possible.
“A happy, stable workforce plays a huge part in this.”
The signing was just one part of UNISON East Midlands’ work around National Carers’ Week (6-12 June).
The union is running public stalls in markets across the region this week, and were out recording public support for homecare workers in Nottingham’s Hyson Green Market today (above).
Nottingham East Labour MP Chris Leslie will shadow a homecare worker on Friday.
