Today (Wednesday 8th November) Council Leader Scott Farmer and Senior Manager for Communities and People Alan Milliken adopted a charter on behalf of Stirling Council ensuring a better future and working conditions for care workers.
The adoption of the charter guarantees appropriate pay, training and working standards for care workers – which in turn will lead to a better quality of care for the thousands of service users who rely on it.
The council’s commitments include implementing the living wage, agreeing clear procedures for following up care concerns and scheduling visits so that workers are not forced to rush their time with clients.
The charter was developed by UNISON after concerns were raised across the UK about the standards of homecare vulnerable people were receiving. Research discovered how workers terms and conditions can contribute to the standards of care received by those getting care at home.
Chair of the Social Care and Health Committee, Councillor Scott Farmer, said, “I am delighted that Stirling Council has signed up to the Ethical Care Charter. We aim to ensure the recruitment and retention of a stable workforce by rewarding homecare workers properly for the vital services they provide every day, through more sustainable pay, conditions, fair work practices and training levels.
“This commitment demonstrates that the council value the brilliant service that each and every one of our care workers provide, and that the care our residents receive should always be of the highest quality. The standard we set is that we want vulnerable people across the region to receive the same care that we would all want for our loved ones.”
Care at home staff will be paid for travel time and travel costs, while visits are provided on the basis of the individuals assessed needs and visits times are scheduled accordingly. Where the individual’s care needs change, the appropriate adjustments are made.
Care at home workers will also be regularly trained, both in relation to mandatory requirements and quality improvement, to ensure a good service, at no cost to themselves and in work time.
Lorraine Thomson, secretary of UNISON Stirling branch, said, “We are delighted that Stirling Council have now adopted the Ethical care Charter. Social care workers provide a lifeline service for vulnerable people. Signing up to the UNISON charter shows commitment to a highly skilled workforce and those they care for.
“The workforce deserve fair work, better pay and ethical employment practices. This charter will help improve standards and retain highly valued staff in all homecare providers across Stirling. By signing up to the Ethical Care Charter, Stirling Council have demonstrated a shared commitment to ensure improved quality of care for some of the most vulnerable people in Stirling.”