Resources

No More Pips to Squeak

UKHCA took at a stand at the National Adults and Childrens Services Conference, a major conference in Harrogate, with policy makers and Directors of Adult Social Services in attendance, to focus attention on the needs of the independent homecare sector. Launching our personalisation toolkit, which highlights how some authorities are acting perversely in the face of more personalised services, we also launched a statement on the huge cost pressures providers are under with our "No more pips to squeak" publication. [ID 281]

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Anthony Collins briefing for members on challenging unfair tender processes

This document is available to UKHCA members only. Information on how to join UKHCA.

UKHCA's preferred solicitors Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP stopped a council in its tracks recently when they forced it to re-run part of a tendering process by using an emergency injunction. They have prepared a special briefing for members on challenging unfair tender processesl. [ID 254]

Download Anthony Collins briefing for members on challenging unfair tender processes

Anthony Collins procurement challenge case study

UKHCA's preferred solicitors Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP stopped a council in its tracks recently when they forced it to re-run part of a tendering process by using an emergency injunction. They have described the process in a procurement challenge case study available to all. [ID 253]

Download Anthony Collins procurement challenge case study

UKHCA urges fair homecare contract terms for North Wales

In a comprehensive submission to councils preparing a standard contract for use in North Wales, UKHCA has highlighted key principles of fairness and the need for a balance of rights and obligations for both purchasers and providers. The contract is being drafted for use in Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham, but UKHCA understands that councils elsewhere in Wales are also watching this matter closely. UKHCA members’ interests are being represented by Gill Charlick and Colin Angel. Colin is also leading UKHCA’s response to a similar standard contract for use in the East of England. [ID 243]

Download UKHCA urges fair homecare contract terms for North Wales

UKHCA urges ADASS to address Eastern Region Contract problems

UKHCA has welcomed an agreement to examine critical issues relating to a draft homecare contract approved by the ADASS Eastern Region following robust criticism made on behalf of our member organisations. Having met with ADASS representatives in January, their Secretary confirmed that she was “confident that any detailed issues can be dealt with to the satisfaction of both parties and that an ongoing dialogue would be useful”. A meeting to discuss our concerns about individual clauses is to be arranged. The contract has been drafted for future tendering exercises for the following local authorities: Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Luton, Norfolk, Peterborough, Southend, Suffolk and Thurrock. [ID 186]

Available downloadable versions:

• Download UKHCA response to the consultation exercise, of 12th May 2008
• Download UKHCA’s letter to the ADASS Eastern Region of 18th November 2008

UKHCA Position Statement: A Fair Price for Care

UKHCA sets-out the vital importance of homecare organisations receiving a fair price for the services they provide. In the first of our UKHCA Position Statements, we examine the background to the current state of the market and provide recommendations to local authority commissioners on adequate payment for the care they purchase. [ID 114]

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UKHCA Position Statement: Managing working time in live-in care

UKHCA believes that homecare workers providing "live-in" care services undertake their role on an "unmeasured work" basis for the purposes of the Working Time Regulations 1998 and the National Minimum Wage Regulations 1999. [ID 144]

Download UKHCA Position Statement: Managing working time in live-in care

UKHCA Position Statement: Short Care Episodes

In our second UKHCA Position Statement, we highlight the dangers of using 15-minute visits to provide personal care to increasingly dependent service users. In recommendations to local authority commissioners we state that short visits should only be used for monitoring and prompting activities and highlight the demotivating nature of these visits on service users and their careworkers. [ID 115]

Download UKHCA Position Statement: Short Care Episodes