The core principles of the charter are now embedded into the Council’s care provider contracts.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is pledging its support for UNISON's ethical care charter, which will benefit care workers and the vulnerable people they look after.  The core principles of the charter are now embedded into the Council’s care provider contracts for residential and nursing homes.

The charter will ensure adequate staffing levels and sufficient time for workers to care for vulnerable people.  Staff will not be rushing from one client to the next, they will provide quality care for each individual. Staff will also be paid for travel time and expenses and receive occupational sick pay. There will also be opportunities for staff to have frequent meetings to avoid isolation. Staff will receive free training on a regular basis to ensure the necessary standards of care are met and staff continue to update their skills and provide a good service.  

UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis said: 

“Making this commitment to decent employment conditions for care workers is vital for improving the quality of life for the people they look after.

“UNISON’s ethical care charter is leading the way in highlighting the importance of care work and in fighting to win the pay and conditions they deserve.

“The charter sets out minimum employment standards that will end the bad practices that we too-often see in social care.  Care staff should not be having to dash around between service users without the time to care.  They should not be on poverty pay or having to work when they are ill.  They should not be isolated and they should not be afraid to raise concerns about services with their employer. 

“Cheshire West and Chester Council is to be applauded for signing up to the ethical care charter and we look forward to working with the council to make a real difference to the lives of care workers and vulnerable people.”   

 Cabinet Member for Democracy and Workforce, Councillor Paul Donovan added:

“We are extremely proud to sign up to the Ethical Care Charter and want to provide a high standard of care to our residents and support staff within health and social care roles.  Our care staff play a vital role in our community and this needs to be recognised and they need to be rewarded for the work they do. By signing the charter, we are committed to improving the quality of care for residents, reducing staff turnover and providing a stable workforce who feel valued in their role.”