Issue - meetings

To note the key objectives of the UNISON ethical care charter and steps already taken by the council to meet these objectives and to confirm the council’s aspiration to develop an ethical approach to commissioning high quality home care services which fully embraces the principles of the charter.

RESOLVED:

Decisions of the Cabinet

1.  That the key objectives of the UNISON ethical care charter and steps already being taken by the council to meet these objectives, including the prior commitment to introduce the London living wage (LLW) for all new contracts be noted.

2.  That the council’s aspiration to develop an approach to commissioning high quality home care services which fully embraces the principles of the charter be confirmed and the key milestones including the aim to implement LLW for existing home care contract in July 2013 be noted and it also be noted that the current contracts run until summer 2014. 

3.  That the strategic director of children’s and adults services establish a task and finish group to develop a commissioning approach for Southwark that supports the council’s aspiration to implement the principles of the charter – including those relating to the three outstanding areas – zero hours contracts, payment for travel time, occupational sickness schemes - subject to affordability, contractual commitments and with reference to the demands of personalised budgets. That Unison, home care users and providers be included on the task and finish group. That it be noted that the task and finish group will be required to report back on progress, feasibility, plans and affordability analysis to the cabinet in November 2013. 

4.  That the continual intention of the council to establish a reference group of key stakeholders, Unison and home care users and providers to have strong and regular input to the task and finish group be noted, including Unison, users and providers to inform the commissioning approach, including a set of best practice principles to inform the commissioning approach to home care services which are, as far as is practical, consistent  with the ethical charter.

5.  That the work currently underway to develop a training partnership with home care providers focused on developing the skills and quality of the home care workforce be noted.

Decisions of  the Leader of the Council

6.  That the cabinet member for health and adult social care be given delegated authority to approve any contract variation to existing home care contracts to implement LLW, taking account of legal and procurement advice and the incorporation of measures to ensure enhanced quality and performance is linked to payment of LLW.