Decision details

4.1       The Lead Member considered a report containing a Notice of Motion from Councillors Scott and Webb calling for the County Council to sign the Unison Ethical Care Charter.

4.2       The Lead Member RESOLVED to recommend to the County Council that it:

1. welcomes the significant increase and scale of people being supported at home and the quality of the care services provided and commissioned; and

2. notes the consideration given to the Ethical Care Charter and rejects the Motion for the reasons set out in the report

REASON

4.3       East Sussex contractual arrangements with homecare providers largely adhere to the principles of the Charter. There are however challenges in agreeing to all the principles in the Charter. This relates to the likely increased costs that would result both in terms of fee rates and additional management and contract monitoring arrangements. The potential increased costs have to be balanced against the requirement to direct resources to maximising the level of care the County Council provides to meet local need.   

4.4       There is a strong commitment across the County Council, care providers and unions to work in partnership to ensure the best possible terms and conditions for staff and standards of care. The Charter supports this overall approach, but the implementation of all the principles would have resource implications at a time when the focus of the County Council is maximising the level of home care support that is provided in East Sussex.