Leeds City Council signs up to Ethical Care Charter

Making sure there are minimum standards for care at home for both the people who receive it and the workers who provide it are priorities for Leeds City Council as they become one of the largest local authorities to sign up to Unison's Ethical Care Charter.

The charter commits to carers not having to rush from client to client and that people should keep the same carer wherever possible. It also commits employers to provide guaranteed hours contracts as the norm rather than zero hours contracts, to pay for travel time and a target of paying at least the living wage of £7.85 per hour.

Providers will have to minimise zero-hours contracts, pay at least the national minimum wage and move towards paying a living wage of £7.85 per hour. There will also be a commitment to providing training.

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Notes for editors:

The Ethical Charter is jointly being signed at 12.30pm on Friday 1st May 2015, by Cllr Keith Wakefield, Leader of Leeds City Council; Cllr Adam Ogilvie, Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Unison Assistant General Secretary Cliff Williams at the Unison Yorkshire and Humber regional office at:

UNISON Yorkshire & Humberside Regional CentreCommerce HouseWade LaneLeedsLS2 8NJ

More information on Unison’s Ethical Charter is available at:https://www.unison.org.uk/upload/sharepoint/On%20line%20Catalogue/22014.pdf

Requests for interviews or photo opportunities can be directed to Phil Morcom or Pete Carroll at Unison: p.carroll@unison.co.uk