We represent the Edinburgh Support Workers’ Action Network (SWAN), a group of ordinary support workers from various organisations who came together to fight the ongoing cuts in social care in our city. We are writing an open letter to all the Directors of support Providers in the Voluntary Sector in Edinburgh to express our concerns about the position that hard-working staff currently find themselves in, and the measures which may be being considered by some Providers in response to Council pressure, which again threaten our working conditions, even our jobs.

Yesterday, Thursday 11th February 2010, Edinburgh Council voted to formally scrap the tendering of care and support services and to drop the controversial £15.04 direct payment rate derived from it. Instead, a full dialogue will be set up with those affected.

At yesterday’s meeting of Full Council, the Lib Dem/SNP administration tabled a motion expressing regret at the distress caused and resolving to take full account of all the representations made to it. The motion went on to agree:

• not to award any contracts for care and support;
• not to adopt a direct payment rate of £15.04;
• to set up a dialogue with service providers, service users and advocacy organisations to identify a fair rate (“within 2 Council cycles” – we are told this is roughly three months).

In addition, the Chief Executive is to carry out a comprehensive review of the development and handling of the failed process, to include the roles of all involved.

After several moving deputations, including one from SWAN, both opposition spokesperson Lesley Hinds and Council Leader Jenny Dawe said “sorry” on behalf of the Council. Councillor Dawe went on to state that the form of the consultation process has deliberately been left open-ended to ensure it can be made as inclusive as possible.

The motion was then carried with support from all parties.

SWAN would like to congratulate everyone who campaigned so tirelessly to reach this point, and the Council for its decision to move forward in what we are confident can be a spirit of genuine partnership.

Edinburgh Support Workers’ Action Network   -  Press Release   1^st Feb 2010

CONTROVERSIAL CARE AND SUPPORT TENDER COLLAPSES

Campaign groups call for resignations over ‘shambolic’ process and vow to continue fight for fair funding for people with disabilities

The tender process for care and support services which has drawn heavy criticism from campaign groups, service users and their families and carers was finally dropped today.

Council Chief Executive Tom Aitchison today concluded that the findings of the report left the Council with no other choice but to drop the whole tender process.

The report, which is being kept confidential, found that that the process was not sufficiently “meticulous” as well as casting doubts over the “quality assurance process”.

The collapse of the tender has led to campaign groups and opposition councillors calling for resignation of Paul Edie, the City’s health and social care convener, who has faced complaints for his behaviour towards service-users and campaigners during the process.

For full press release click here

• The Deloitte report concluded that the tender process "was not as sufficiently meticulous or as thorough as might be expected";
• The number of Direct Payment applications received means only one or two contracts could be awarded;
• If contracts are awarded there is a significant risk of legal challenge by losing bidders;
• The savings that could now be achieved are not enough to justify this risk.