Falkirk home care team: 'Warm words from council but that won't pay our bills'

Earlier this month the Care Inspectorate found high standards of care and praised the skills and knowledge of staff during a recent review of Falkirk Council’s Care and Support at Home Service.

The services’ three locality teams in central, east, and west Falkirk were assessed against the quality of their leadership, support offered, and planning processes.

Receiving a grade 5 in every area inspected, the service – which provides home care to around 300 people in the Falkirk area – has earned an official “very good” rating.

One resident told the Inspectorate: “I am thrilled, it has made our lives so much better, the staff are amazing.”

While team members are happy to hear they are doing a good job, GMB Scotland officials said they would prefer their good work to be recognised financially.

Home care staff, who walked out for four days last month, are striking again this weekend.

Maria Feeney, GMB Scotland organiser at Falkirk Council, said: “The Care Inspectorate has only confirmed the commitment and professionalism of our members in Falkirk home care.

“However, they already know the value of their work as do the people they care for and their families. They deserve the praise of managers but, more importantly, they deserve fair pay and for those same managers to properly recognise the work they do and its importance.

"The council should spend less time sending out press releases praising the home care staff and more time discussing how to pay them fairly.”

The union, representing relatively low-paid women across the public sector, warns ongoing negotiations will lead to claims totalling tens of millions of pounds across Scotland and risk sinking local authorities without the intervention of the Scottish Government.

In Falkirk, the union said a long-delayed review of care workers’ roles did not recognise the skills and specialist experience of staff and failed to properly assess their new responsibilities of delivering complex care and support with some paid as little as £12.70 an hour.

Falkirk Council stated it had received notification of the new planned industrial action by GMB Scotland.

Around 300 people in the Falkirk area are supported by the service, who have been contacted by Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership to outline the temporary disruption they may experience upon their care.

A spokesperson for Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership said: “Falkirk Council continues to engage with GMB Scotland while it undertakes industrial action in Falkirk and several other local authority areas.

“During the upcoming two days of strike action, our service expects to operate with a reduced capacity due to some staff taking part. We are advising people of changes they may see to their care or support, which include a different team member or care provider attending their home; a change to the usual time they receive a support visit; or a reduction in care to provide essential support only.

“We are working to ensure everyone receives the essential care they need, with as minimal disruption to individual’s care as possible.”

The service has also reminded family, friends, or other informal carers of the option to make their own care arrangements if they wish to avoid short notice changes to their care.

During previous industrial action, those choosing to do so helped to reduce disruption experienced by their loved ones.

Anyone wishing to provide support for their loved one during strike days, such as meal preparation, help with personal care, or providing medication prompts, can contact Falkirk Council’s Care and Support at Home Service on 01324 50 60 70.