Caremark (Wandsworth)’s MD, James McCallum, has joined national community organising group, Citizens UK, a charity that works with communities to raise awareness of various social issues.

Working with members of the care community, comprising care recipients, care workers, care providers, and commissioners, it has drawn up a Charter of good practice for care providers and commissioners.

The aim of the Charter is to clearly lay out the basic standards that would ensure recipients of care receive a quality service, and afford care workers appropriate respect and remuneration for their work.

The Charter includes specific asks around payment of: the Living Wage, travel time and sick pay for care workers; as well as continuity of care worker to care recipient, and an end to 15 minute care appointments.

James McCallum met earlier this week with Minister of State for Care and Support, Norman Lamb MP at the Citizens UK launch event, “Care in the Square” tea party in Parliament Square. Those attending included care recipients, care workers, care providers, commissioners as well as religious leaders.

Commenting on this new initiative, James McCallum said: “The quality of social care for recipients in the UK needs to improve, and this starts with valuing the important work done by care workers properly and fairly. This in turn will mean society placing a higher monetary value on an hour of social care, which given the current state of public finances, means priorities will need to change. Citizens UK’s valuable movement, rooted as it is in communities, is the best way for these changes in attitudes to come about”.
The focus of the event was discussing with Norman Lamb ideas for improving social care for recipients and achieving a better deal and dignity for care workers. This culminated in a commitment from him to support the Citizens UK Campaign and to work for improved social care in the UK.

These 4 shifts he would like to see in care in the UK:
1) Comprehensive system of preventative care rather than unnecessary hospital admissions
2) Better joined-up community partnership working within health and social care
3) Care receivers having choice, respect and control over their care
4) Working from an inclusive approach – involving other health professionals and relevant parties

Caremark (Wandsworth)is part of a UK network of offices who provide care and support services to people enabling them to live safely and independently at home rather than having to consider moving into residential care.

CEO of Caremark Ltd Kevin Lewis said “The public want and deserve good quality home care delivered by well trained, professional and compassionate care staff, something which we feel passionate about. We strive to continually provide the highest standard of personalized care to all our clients and take pride in our bespoke service.”

He added: “We value our care workers, for their dedication and for the fantastic work they do - their valuable contribution to social care must never be underestimated or overlooked.”