Home care commissioning system 'may be increasing risk of human rights abuses'

This article first appeared on the Community Care website:

Older people may be at increased risk of suffering human rights abuses as a result of local authority home care commissioning practices, according to a review published today by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

The report warns that the way home care is currently commissioned is unsustainable and leads to poor pay and working conditions for many care workers. This exacerbates the high turnover of staff, making care recipients more vulnerable to neglectful or abusive treatment.

The EHRC says it recognises the severe financial pressures local authorities face, but adds that the rates some local authorities pay do not appear to cover the actual costs of delivering care.

"Care workers perform a hugely valuable role in looking after some of the most vulnerable members of society and at the least should expect to be paid the legal minimum wage rather than being forced to fund transport costs and time spent between visits out of their own pockets," said EHRC commissioner Sarah Veale.

Rushed visits

Today's report reviews 25 recommendations the EHRC originally made in its year-long inquiry Close to home (2011). The inquiry found that around half of older people were satisfied with their home care, but many others had experienced poor treatment or neglect.

Examples included rushed visits, older people not being helped to eat or drink, left without food or water, in soiled clothes and sheets, and being put to bed in the afternoon.

The review finds that some progress has been made, but the EHRC is now calling for all local authority contracts commissioning home care to include a requirement that care workers are paid at least the National Minimum Wage, including payment for travel time and costs.

It also argues that local authorities should also be transparent and set out how the rates they pay cover the costs of safe and legal care, with cost models published on their websites.

The United Kingdom Homecare Association (UKHCA), which represents home care providers, said it "entirely endorsed" this recommendation. "Too often, cash-strapped councils dictate prices based on what they can afford to pay, rather than what the service costs to deliver safely and effectively," said UKHCA chair Mike Padgham.

Read the full article on the Community Care website.