STIRLING Council has adopted a new care charter to guarantee appropriate pay, training, working standards and in turn quality.

On Wednesday, November 8, council leader Cllr Scott Farmer and senior manager for communities and people Alan Milliken signed up to UNISON's Ethical Care Charter.

The local authority is now committing to implement the living wage, agree to clear procedures for following up on care concerns and scheduling visits so workers are not forced to rush their time with clients.

Cllr Farmer said: “I am delighted that Stirling Council has signed up to the Ethical Care Charter. We aim to ensure the recruitment and retention of a stable workforce by rewarding homecare workers properly for the vital services they provide every day, through more sustainable pay, conditions, fair work practices and training levels.

“This commitment demonstrates that the council value the brilliant service that each and every one of our care workers provide, and that the care our residents receive should always be of the highest quality. The standard we set is that we want vulnerable people across the region to receive the same care that we would all want for our loved ones.”

Lorraine Thomson, secretary of the local UNISON branch, added: “Social care workers provide a lifeline service for vulnerable people. Signing up to the UNISON charter shows commitment to a highly skilled workforce and those they care for.

“The workforce deserve fair work, better pay and ethical employment practices. This charter will help improve standards and retain highly valued staff in all homecare providers across Stirling.

“By signing up to the Ethical Care Charter, Stirling Council have demonstrated a shared commitment to ensure improved quality of care for some of the most vulnerable people in Stirling.”