Report into Hackney Council homecare services reveals “universal flaws”

A damning report has revealed widespread failings in council homecare services provided to Hackney’s elderly and vulnerable residents.

The study, published by patient group Hackney LINk (Hackney Local Involvement Network) last week, raises concerns about the workings of care agencies employed by the town hall.

Diary entries and interviews from 10 volunteers gave an insight into the daily struggles of some of the borough’s most vulnerable people.

Among the concerns it highlights is a lack of consistent high quality training. It says care workers are often overworked and badly supported.

Almost a third (29 per cent) of council-commissioned care workers left before their allotted time over a period of 169 sessions, the study found. Researchers said this left many people feeling “under-valued and frustrated”.

And many homecare workers had a poor understanding cultural differences and sexuality, it claimed.

Hackney LINk said the report revealed “universal flaws in home care in general which needs to be addressed at a commissioning level”, although it added that the council had already acted upon many of the findings.

Councillor Jonathan McShane, cabinet member for health, social care, and culture, said: “The council welcomes Hackney LINk’s report into homecare services and has already developed an action plan in response to their recommendations.

“Many of these actions have already been implemented and the others will be put in place shortly. The progress made on our improvement action plan has been very well received by Hackney LINk and we look forward to working with them on this and other issues in future.”