Brockworth-based Mears Group is withdrawing its homecare services for Essex County Council after 15 years because it says it is concerned over safety and pay conditions.

Mears is one of the UK's leading providers of homecare for elderly and vulnerable people

But it says Essex County Council's new homecare contract proposes a rate that is considerably lower than the current rate, despite increases in the National Living Wage, pensions and other areas.

The company says it is also well short of the minimum hourly rate of £16.70 per customer recommended by the United Kingdom Homecare Association (UKHCA), which represents the care industry.

Mears claims that no organisation can deliver a care service at the new rate safely or legally.

Mears currently employs 202 workers in two locations in Essex, in Colchester and Laindon, and looks after 260 elderly people.

Mears Group executive director, Alan Long, said: "It is with great reluctance and disappointment that we take this decision.

"We have worked successfully with Essex County Council for 15 years, however we are left with no choice but not to renew any homecare contracts with them.

"Essex County Council has asked Mears to reduce our charge for homecare when our rate is already below the absolute minimum recommended by UKHCA.

"We are sympathetic to the financial pressures facing the council, however they are unrealistic in the level of pricing required to recruit good quality carers, conform to employment legislation and provide a good, safe and compliant level of service.

"We held extensive talks with them, including proposals to make savings for the council without impacting care worker pay or the quality of the service. We have been told it is too late to do anything different, despite the current contract not ending until the middle of November.

"We will continue to provide our service until then and will co-operate as best we can to facilitate customers and staff being transferred to a number of as yet unknown providers, however we remain concerned that any provider could deliver a safe and lawful service at the new rate."

Cllr David Finch, Leader of Essex County Council, said: "Mears made a commercial decision not to continue with their contract with Essex County Council, in line with their national strategy.

"Providers across Essex are engaged with the adoption of our proposed new commercial arrangements, which have received and passed rigorous scrutiny tests in terms of quality and safety standards. We intend to work with them to smoothly transition services going forward ensuring all our residents remain safe and cared for.

"The sector is under pressure which is why we have been lobbying so hard for Government action and a sustainable, long term solution to the care crisis.

"Eighty per cent of the providers in Essex are rated as good or outstanding by the CQC which is above the national average. We are proud of the high quality services our residents receive."

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