Poor social care providers should be named says Midlands council

Staffordshire County Council has drawn up a “green paper” on changes to the county’s adult care services which also include paying staff more than the minimum wage and promoting the status of carers during a two-year review.

In April the council formed the UK’s largest integration of local authority and NHS care services in the country.

Controversial recommendations in the plan include naming organisations which have received upheld complaints or where the council has suspended contracts.

The authority will adopt a “zero tolerance” approach to providers who fail to improve.

There will also be mystery shopper style spot checks and carers will receive more training and better pay.

Matthew Ellis, the council’s cabinet member for adults wellbeing said:  “There has been a lot of debate nationally about quality of care, but the time for talking is over.

“Families need to make informed choices and it is disgraceful, for example, that it is easier to find out about complaints regarding your local take-away than it is on a company caring for a loved one.”

He added: “We also need to move away from the menial pay mindset and promote caring as a well-paid career choice if we are serious about improving the whole experience of care in the UK.”

The Government, Department of Health, MPs, NHS and local government partners, community stakeholders and the general public will be asked to give their views on the proposals as part of a consultation process during the summer.