Gateshead invests in Ethical Home Care
Home care for older and disabled people in Gateshead is being transformed under a new model that will better meet the needs of our communities while providing more support to key workers in the sector.
Gateshead Council is implementing the UNISON Ethical Care Charter, Stages 1 and 2 principles (opens new window). This means we will make sure all providers who want to work with us must support:
- an end to zero-hour contracts, with all workers guaranteed permanent contracts should they want them
- workers to have their own 'patch' so they are better able to know the person they work with and respond more quickly to an individual's changing needs
- all workers to have travel time and travel costs covered, and receive statutory sick pay
- all workers offered regular paid supervisions, and paid training to help with career progression
- all workers to be given more time with the people they work with, to encourage independence
The new model was co-produced with providers, homecare workers, current and future service users from the voluntary sector. This included focus groups with Age UK Gateshead and the Older People's Assembly, which allowed older people to share their views and ideas to improve home care.
Councillor John Adams, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care at the Council said: "There has to be a step change in the way we deliver adult social care. We need to make sure that residents can live their best life, whatever care needs they might have. The new model is a huge step forward in improving home care services for our residents.
"Our workforce is our greatest asset, so I'm delighted that this new model will also mean better terms and conditions, and in time, better recruitment and retention. We must make working in social care not just emotionally rewarding, but also a career where you can progress and develop so that exceptional workers stay in the sector.
"We are committed to using co-production to improve our services across Adult Social Care, and the new home care model is a fantastic example of how the transformative approach will improve the way we provide and commission social care services.
"It is fantastic news for Gateshead, and we look forward to working with new providers to rollout across the borough from January 2025."
Terry Johnstone, UNISON Regional Organiser, said: "UNISON is delighted that Gateshead Council has signed up to our Ethical Care Charter. The Charter will ensure that staff working in care across the Borough will benefit from defined work areas, properly contracted hours, paid training and staff will now have the time to travel between their visits with costs covered.
"Staff want to deliver a great service and be paid properly for the work that they do and the charter gives them that security."
Find out more about social care commissioning at the council
Home care for older and disabled people in Gateshead is being transformed under a new model that will better meet the needs of our communities while providing more support to key workers in the sector.
Gateshead Council is implementing the UNISON Ethical Care Charter, Stages 1 and 2 principles (opens new window). This means we will make sure all providers who want to work with us must support:
- an end to zero-hour contracts, with all workers guaranteed permanent contracts should they want them
- workers to have their own 'patch' so they are better able to know the person they work with and respond more quickly to an individual's changing needs
- all workers to have travel time and travel costs covered, and receive statutory sick pay
- all workers offered regular paid supervisions, and paid training to help with career progression
- all workers to be given more time with the people they work with, to encourage independence
The new model was co-produced with providers, homecare workers, current and future service users from the voluntary sector. This included focus groups with Age UK Gateshead and the Older People's Assembly, which allowed older people to share their views and ideas to improve home care.
Councillor John Adams, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care at the Council said: "There has to be a step change in the way we deliver adult social care. We need to make sure that residents can live their best life, whatever care needs they might have. The new model is a huge step forward in improving home care services for our residents.
"Our workforce is our greatest asset, so I'm delighted that this new model will also mean better terms and conditions, and in time, better recruitment and retention. We must make working in social care not just emotionally rewarding, but also a career where you can progress and develop so that exceptional workers stay in the sector.
"We are committed to using co-production to improve our services across Adult Social Care, and the new home care model is a fantastic example of how the transformative approach will improve the way we provide and commission social care services.
"It is fantastic news for Gateshead, and we look forward to working with new providers to rollout across the borough from January 2025."
Terry Johnstone, UNISON Regional Organiser, said: "UNISON is delighted that Gateshead Council has signed up to our Ethical Care Charter. The Charter will ensure that staff working in care across the Borough will benefit from defined work areas, properly contracted hours, paid training and staff will now have the time to travel between their visits with costs covered.
"Staff want to deliver a great service and be paid properly for the work that they do and the charter gives them that security."
Find out more about social care commissioning at the council
