OTnews August 2020 | Page 15

BAOT/UNISON
Being a BAOT member means you also belong to Unison and can access support and advice on workplace issues at any time.
A national care service is the only
way to prevent more deaths
The COVID-19
pandemic
has exposed
the fault lines
in the social
care system,
which requires
substantial
reform if its
many structural,
financial and operational weaknesses are to
be tackled.
In a new strategy document published
by Unison, Care after Covid: a UNISON
vision for social care, the union sets out how
this fragmented, crisis-riven sector could
be transformed into a national care system.
One that could cope with the day-to-day
challenges of caring for vulnerable people
and be better prepared for a future health
emergency of the same severity as the
current pandemic.
Improved regulation and government
oversight, better staff pay, stringent UK-wide
professional standards, robust workers’
rights, and strategic long-term investment
could help create a resilient care system
which resembles the NHS.
Prior to the crisis, the care sector was
already in a precarious state – as a result of
chronic underfunding, an unstable market
system and workforce shortages – with
successive governments failing to take
meaningful action.
Prior to the pandemic, the House of
Lords Economic Affairs Committee called for
an immediate investment of £8 billion in the
sector. But far more will be needed before
the end of the current Parliament if a care
system is to be created that’s fit for purpose.
The extra money should be used to
invest in the workforce and fund local
councils. This is so they have the resources
and expertise to step in and take over care
homes – if providers go bust – and run care
services themselves.
In addition, the economic argument for
investing in social care is stronger than ever.
There is little appetite among the public for
another austerity programme and investment
in jobs and pay for essential public services
is necessary to restart local economies that
contribute to the macroeconomic health of
the UK.
Social care must become an important
economic sector providing high-quality, wellpaid
jobs and not be seen as a drain on the
public purse. It has the potential to be part
of the solution for local economies that have
lost jobs because of the virus.
The strategy document makes a series of
recommendations, including:
• everyone working in the care sector
should undergo a minimum level of
training to drive forward professionalisation
and raise standards;
• care workers must be added to the
government’s shortage occupation list.
Many are from overseas, but proposed
immigration changes will prevent anyone
earning less than £25,600 from coming
here;
• local authorities responsible for sourcing
care for local residents should only
purchase services from providers that pay
their taxes, recognise unions, provide staff
with standard work contracts and pay at
least the real living wage; and
• there must be a move away from the
complex commissioning model to a
national care system, based on the NHS,
where care is free at the point of need.
The full document is available in PDF
format by visiting www.unison.org.uk/
changecare and opening the resources
section.
UNISONdirect helpline
for members re-opens
The UNISONdirect office re-opened its
doors this week after running an online
service from home during lockdown. Some
UNISONdirect staff have returned to the
office to start taking essential calls from
Unison members on the frontline of the
COVID-19 crisis.
UNISONdirect has followed strict
precautions in reopening, to ensure the
safety and wellbeing of all our agents.
However, this means that there will be a
limited service and it may still be quicker to
use the online system if members cannot
get through to an agent straight away.
UNISONdirect will be available for the
following hours: 8am to 1pm, 1.30pm
to 6.30pm and 7pm to 10pm. Breaks
between operations ensure that cleaning
can be carried out as shifts change over.
If you have a problem at
work, BAOT/Unison is
there to help
Anyone can face
problems at work,
but if you are
a member
of BAOT,
you do not have to face them alone.
Whether it’s about bullying, duty
rotas, flexible working, annual leave
or sickness procedures, a BAOT or
Unison representative is on hand to help,
wherever you work. We are also there
to support in you case of disciplinary
action, dismissal or redundancy.
For help and advice at work – or to
find out more about Unison services –
please contact your local BAOT/Unison
representative or go to: www.unison.org.
uk/get-help/.
© GettyImages/biscotto87
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