Liberal Democrat Leader calls for council to sign Ethical Care Charter

Liberal Democrat Group Leader on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE

The Leader of the Opposition and Liberal Democrat Group Leader on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has written to Councillor Barbara Brownridge, the Cabinet member with responsibility for social care calling on Oldham Council to sign the Ethical Care Charter championed by the trades union UNISON.

Councillor Sykes explains: “I was pleased when, in January 2014, Oldham Council adopted a new ethical care policy in the purchasing and delivery of social care in our Borough.

"There were many things in it that were very positive, such as no fifteen minute visits and a service ethos that revolves around the needs and wishes of the person receiving care.“

“However, the charter has still higher standards and I would like to see this council sign up to them - not only so those receiving care in our borough can be even more sure of receiving the best care possible, but also to make sure that this care is being delivered by well-motivated staff receiving good pay and with excellent working conditions.”

In his email, Councillor Sykes highlighted where the current policy was not quite up to the standards sought in the charter:

'Care providers appear not to be specifically committed to paying their staff the National Living Wage as opposed to the Oldham Living Wage. This is despite the fact that in n December 2013, the Oldham Liberal Democrats sponsored a motion that was supported by all Councillors where Council agreed to seek the National Living Wage for the staff of contractors, arms-length organisations and agencies engaged in contracts with the Council.'

He added: “Nor do care providers appear to be required to reimburse home care workers for travel and the other expenses associated with their employment (for example, mobile phone charges), nor to ensure that they are offered membership of an occupational sick pay scheme or enjoy the opportunity to meet co-workers to share experiences.

“I have asked Councillor Brownridge to revise the Council’s Ethical Care Approach to ensure that it reflects the remaining aspirations in the Unison charter and then to sign it, joining thirty other councils across the UK which have done so.”

“After all, we all want the best care for our loved ones, delivered by staff who are properly rewarded for the vital work that they do.”