Adult Social Care & Health

Elderly Persons Homes - the Sell Off
Yesterday (Thursday 29th April) Notts County Council organised a seminar at Nottingham Racecourse for prospective buyers of the remaining 13 Council run Elderly Persons Homes. The location had been kept under wraps and it was only a few hours beforehand that UNISON found out the location and we decided to leaflet the prospective buyers as they entered the building basically warning them that UNISON was very well organised in the Homes and we would campaign for them to remain within the public sector as would the local family and residents groups. (The leaflet can be seen here).

It came to light from talking to those attending that the information pack provided by the Council informs the 'potential buyers' that the Homes only need to remain as such for 3 years! What sort of message is that sending out to land developers who will know full well that the Homes have substantial land included and that many of the sites are next to prime property areas.

It doesn't take a genius to work out what will happen does it? At best the quality and standards will drop and at worst the Homes will be sold for property development. We're obviously not the only people thinking along these lines as we came across an article whilst looking at another website and thought it was so moving that it was worth placing a link to it here. It's made even more appropriate with the General Election next week and as the person in the blog mentions that what has happened here in Notts over the last year is basically a microcosm for what is more than likely to happen under a Conservative government.

Industrial action ballot - It's a YES vote and action will commence on Monday 29th March

Your Branch understands that members working in social care will be concerned about placing service users at risk of harm. It is not the intention of Unison to place service users at risk of harm, the Council have had prior notice to take measures to prevent service users coming to harm. Notts UNISON has also informed senior management of the Council of the process for making requests to UNISON for ‘life and limb’ cover. We have produced Guidelines for staff which also includes a letter to pass to your local manager informing them that you are available for work but area awaiting information from them as to what transport they are providing for you. Print this off and pass it to your manager.

Question and answer sheet for car users. (We will up date this as regularly as possible so keep returning to this section).
Q&A's for car users - download here Last updated 23 March 2010

Work to rule guidelines for Social Care Staff (also applicable to all car users) download here includes letter to pass to your manager

The following Members’ Meetings have been arranged to discuss the action:

- Friday 26 March, County Hall, Council Chambers, 12.30pm – 1.30pm
- Monday 29 March, Lawn View, Room GFO 3/4, 12.30pm – 1.30pm
- Wed 31 March, Sir John Robinson Way, Board Room, 12.30pm – 1.30pm
- Wed 31 March, Meadow House, Meeting Room 2, 12.30pm – 1.30pm

Please take the time to read the various articles below relating to the budget cuts and what we are doing to campaign to save these services and members terms and conditions.

• Personalisation “Cash for Care” campaign - Invitation to tell UNISON your care story read more here
  We have today sent out a media invitation to members of the public asking them to tell us their care story for our personalisation campaign in Homecare. We would also like to hear from our members and friends and family of members who receive care or are a carer. Please read the invitation set out on our cash for care web page which also tells you how to reply. http://www.unison.org.uk/localgov/cashforcare.asp We look forward to hearing from you and your family and friends. Best wishes
  
  
• UNISON’ and UNITE Trade Unions Official Response to the Budget Proposals to reduce the Welfare Rights capacity and staffing by 50% read more here
  
  
• Trade Union “UNISON” response to Budget Cuts to Frontline Services. read more here
  
  
• U- Turns and Deception, Budget Cuts - Selling Off of all the EPH’s. read more

Dear Members,

In the New Year I have arranged to have a meeting with the Project Leader Paul Mckay, to answer members questions regarding the future of the Social Care Strategy in Nottinghamshire.It is UNISON's position, we would still seek to engage the local authority to maintain public funded services where requested, and retrain and retain valued staff.

Here is a link to the County Council Putting people First website page www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/puttingpeoplefirst

Take care
Grace Perry
ASC&H Convenor
email grace.perry@nottscc.gov.uk
phone 0115 9810405

Below are some links to SDS, (Self Directed Support/ Personalisation)

Web: unison.org.uk/localgov/socialcare.asp

http://www.unison.org.uk/localgov/personalisation.asp

Get involved! Take part in the Social Care Survey, go to the national website and download the survey http://www.unison.org.uk/localgov/

UNISON Newsletter - Up Close and Personal http://www.unison.org.uk/localgov/

There is a National UNISON Social Care Newsletter which is available via this link http://www.unison.org.uk/localgov/socialcare.asp

If you want regular email updates from National UNISON re Social Care you can register here

Department of Health: Social Care Bulletin - April 2009 click here

ASC&H JCNP- minutes from the most recent JCNP (this is the joint County Council/unions negotiating forum) click here