Inverclyde signs up to Ethical Care Pledge
Inverclyde Health & Social Care Partnership has become one of the first in Scotland to achieve trade union recognition for its high standards in homecare and conditions for workers.
The Ethical Care Charter was developed by UNISON following concerns raised on a UK-level by service users, providers and homecare staff.
A survey of staff highlighted fears poor terms and conditions were leading to lower standards of care for the mostly elderly and vulnerable people who use the service.
Inverclyde Council has now formally adopted the Charter after UNISON recognised the high standards of care delivered and the emphasis on recruiting and retaining homecare staff.
Inverclyde Health & Social Care Partnership Chair Councillor Joe McIlwee said: “For many years we have been developing the homecare service in Inverclyde putting user need and quality of care at its centre. We have long recognised the importance of ensuring staff receive the best possible pay and conditions and are given the opportunity to train and develop. I am delighted the Council and the HSCP’s efforts have been recognised by UNISON and that we have formally signed up to commit ourselves to maintaining those standards.”
The Charter allows workers to spend the time they need with clients rather than be restricted to a specific time slot and to be paid for their travel time and costs.
Where possible people will see the same homecare worker and zero hour contracts will not be used in place of permanent contracts. Staff will be paid at least the Living Wage.
Robin Taggart, Secretary of UNISON Inverclyde Branch said ‘This is an important first step towards fair and ethical employment practices being provided by all home care providers across Inverclyde. We are pleased to recognise that Inverclyde Council and Inverclyde Health & Social Care Partnership has become one of the first in Scotland to adopt UNISON’S Ethical Care Charter. It clearly demonstrates a shared commitment to achieving fair work, better pay and improved quality of care for everyone employed in the sector in Inverclyde. We look forward to working with Inverclyde Council to improve our care services across the region.’
Councillor McIlwee added: “Homecare workers provide a lifeline service for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. The Council and our partners in the HSCP recognise the excellent job they do and by signing up to the Charter offer their support and commitment to a highly skilled and valued workforce.”
Pictured: Joyce Allan (Inverclyde HSCP Service Manager), Sharon McAlees (Chief Social Work Officer, Inverclyde Council), Joe Lynch (UNISON Scotland), Councillor Joe McIlwee, Inverclyde Council Leader Councillor Stephen McCabe and Robyn Garcha (UNISON, Inverclyde Branch).
