Reading borough charter for adult social care

Carers in Reading are being asked to sign up to a new “dignity charter”. Reading Borough Council hopes it will drive up care standards when dealing with vulnerable adults.

Councillor Rose Williams said: ‘The health, well-being and dignity of vulnerable residents is of the highest priority to the council.”

An Age UK Berkshire spokesman said: “We hope that the signing of this charter will mean better care for older Reading citizens.”

He added: “With Reading Borough Council holding the purse-strings for much care provision, we welcome their encouragement of care providers to sign-up to the principles of this charter and particularly their continued monitoring of the quality offered by providers.

“We encourage all older people who need care, their families and friends, to speak out about poor care quality, about lack of respect and themselves to not tolerate indignity.”

Care providers who volunteer for the charter must commit to several pledges, including a zero tolerance to abuse, respecting privacy and confidentiality, and “enabling the maximum possible level of independence”.

Annual assessments will be undertaken by council officers and training courses made available to workers.

Ms Williams, who is the assistant lead councillor for adult social care, added: “We are committed to work with carers and providers to ensure that adults in care are treated with the dignity they deserve wherever and whenever they are in care.”