North Somerset Council includes UNISON's Ethical Care Charter as part of its recommissioning of Home Care Services

North Somerset Council have included the following reference to UNISON's Ethical Care Charter in their recently opened consultation on the new model of commissioning domiciliary care in North Somerset

'Ethical care charter

The "Ethical Care Charter" was developed by Unison in 2008 https://www.unison.org.uk/upload/sharepoint/On%20line%20Catalogue/22014.pdf

The Council wants to ensure that care in North Somerset meets stage 1 of the charter through the new contract model and will be working towards stages 2 and 3.

The most difficult elements of the charter are likely to be: reimbursement for travel time; the paying of a living wage and sick pay. The national minimum wage currently stands at £6.50 whereas the current UK Living Wage is £7.85 an hour. Whilst it is recognised that there are elements within the charter that are difficult to attain, within the resource envelope, it will form part of the tender assessment process (Invitation To Tender) and points will be awarded for the factors achieved.'

If you receive Home Care, or are a relative or friend of someone that does, or you are a Home Care Worker, or simply and interested and concerned citizen, then please give your views by going to the following link:
http://consult.n-somerset.gov.uk/consult.ti/domcare/consultationHome

The consultation closes on 25th January 2015.