<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" ><tr><td valign="top" style="font: inherit;">To be added to SWAN's email list please send a request to swanedinburgh@yahoo.co.uk.<br>cheers<br>Danny<br><br>IN THIS UPDATE; <br><br>1. Demonstration this Wednesday 11th Nov<br><br>2. Support Worker's Action Group next organising meeting Sunday <br><br>3. Write you your councillors - letter template<br><br>4. Sign online petition<br><br>5. Council meeting Thursday 19th Nov<br><br>6. Find us on the
i<span>nternet</span><br>:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<br><br><br><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Demonstration this Wednesday 11th
Nov<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><br><br>WHY DON’T WE GET A CHOICE?</span><br style="font-weight: bold;"><br style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">PROTEST THE TENDERING OF SOCIAL CARE SERVICES AND THE BLOCKING OF DIRECT PAYMENTS</span><br><br>DEMONSTRATE 4.30PM, <br>WEDNESDAY 11TH NOVEMBER<br>CITY CHAMBERS, <br>HIGH STREET, EDINBURGH<br> <br><br>Join
Edinburgh Support Workers Action Network, the Learning Disability
Alliance and the Save our Homecare Services Campaign in calling on
Edinburgh Council to; <br><br>- Stop blocking Direct Payments to social care service-users<br><br>- Guarantee funding at a reasonable level that allows service-user choice<br><br>- Stop the selling off of vital services to low cost private companies through its <br> competitive tendering
process<br><br>::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::;::::<br><br><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. Support Worker's Action Group next organising meeting Sunday </span><br><br><div id="yiv342597399"><style>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""></span><font size="3">Budget cuts and competitive
tendering threaten to wreck social care services in Edinburgh depriving service-users of quality
and choice and reducing the role of support worker to a minimum wage , unskilled role.</font></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Its time to stand up for our
jobs and our service-users.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Next organising meeting; </span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><font size="3"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">7.30pm Sunday 15<sup>th</sup> November 2009</span></b></font><span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><font size="3">Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh ,</font> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><font size="3"> 17 West Montgomery Place ,</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><font size="3">EH7 5HA</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><font size="3"> </font></p>
</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span><p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Edinburgh Support Worker's
Action Network (SWAN) has been started by voluntary sector support workers. </span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Against the background of
increased privatisation of council care services ,
the current tendering process will see the end of many well established
voluntary sector organisations and a shift towards low cost , private companies with questionable track records.
</span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Choices Care , which stands to win the biggest contract in this
round of tendering , pays support
workers a mere £6.05 per hour. We face massive holes in TUPE regulations , low union membership in our field and our
organisations have been forced to compete with each other for contracts. It is essential that
support workers themselves from all organisations join together to defend jobs
and services. </span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Meetings are open to all</span>.</span></font></p></span><br><span><p class="MsoNormal">:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::</p></span><br><span>
</span><br><span><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. Write to you councillors - letter template</span></span><br><span>The
final decision to approve the Council's tendering plans and the
blocking of direct payments has still to be approved at the full
Council meeting on Thursday 19th November. It is essential that in the
lead up to this we make as many councillors as possible aware of the
feelings of service-users, staff and others who understand the impact
of their plans.</span><br><span>Below is a letter that can be used for this purpose.
It is also attached as a Word document so you can print off and send.
It is more effective if you put it in you own words though.</span><br><span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></span><br><span><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br><span><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>November 2009</span><br><span></span><br><span>Dear</span><br><span></span><br><span>I
am contacting you because I am very concerned about the current
proposals for the Council to progress with the tender of Housing
Support and Care at Home Services in Edinburgh.</span><br><span></span><br><span>I am concerned because I am aware a significant
number of people chose to take a Direct Payment to avoid being included
in the tender and have the option to retain their current provider.
This right has been denied by the Council freezing Direct Payment
applications.</span><br><span></span><br><span>I am also concerned at the level of disruption and
loss of continuity of service for many vulnerable people if the tender
proposal is approved.</span><br><span></span><br><span>Many social care staff will also be
transferred. It is of great concern that the ability of organisations
to provide quality services will be significantly compromised through
the transfer of services at low hourly rates.</span><br><span></span><br><span>The tender, if
approved, will mean many voluntary organisations in Edinburgh will
become very financially unstable putting at risk other services they
provide that are not directly involved in the tender.</span><br><span></span><br><span>I urge you
to vote or encourage your Councillors to vote against the tender being
discussed on 19 November at the full Council and seek sustainable
alternatives that respect the choice and quality of service that
vulnerable adults and their families need.</span><br><span></span><br><span>Yours sincerely</span><br><span></span><br><span>:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::;</span><br><span></span><br><span><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. </span><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sign online petition</span></span></font></span><br><span><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span></font></span><br><span><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.gopetition.com/online/31914.html">http://www.gopetition.com/online/31914.html</a></span></font></span><br><span><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.gopetition.com/online/31914.html">
</a></span></font></span><br><span><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
Information you should know about to sign this petition. </span></font></span><br><span><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span></font></span><br><span><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span></font>Edinburgh council has competitively tendered care and support
services for 777 people. The council had a choice about how to do this and
chose to put it out to competitive tender.</span><br><span>
</span><br><span>
The council decided what services were needed and how things should be changed
after only asking 8 people who used services. They sent out some letters and
printed a pamphlet. The council said that if you weren’t happy you could
ask for a Direct Payment. They passed a motion in May saying that they would
make it possible for everyone to have a Direct Payment.</span><br><span>
</span><br><span>
170 people asked for a Direct Payment so they could stay with their existing
provider. There was so many people that the council staff were worried that
they couldn’t award the contracts. Now the Council have said who they
want to give the new contracts to. Over 700 people will have to move to new
providers unless they get a Direct Payment. However in October the council
froze all Direct Payments to people in the tender process. At least 87 people
cannot get their payment completed. No one new can make an application and get
their Direct Payment for months. </span><br><span>
</span><br><span>
You should sign this petition because asking for and getting a Direct Payment
is a right once you get a service and you can take responsibility for your own
money and life.</span><br><span>
</span><br><span>
The council promised a choice. Some of the new providers have a poor record in
quality and people might get a worse service. There is still time to change the
council’s mind as the council decision has been delayed.</span><br><span></span><br><span>::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::</span><br><span></span><br><span><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. Council Meeting Thurs 19th Nov</span></span><br><span>As
mentioned above the final decision on the tendering process will be
taken at the full council meeting on Thursday 19th. It is essential
that those affected turn up on that day and apply as much pressure as
possible. </span><br><span>Even better, if you, or someone you know, is confident
enough to speak before the council at this meeting you can apply for a
deputation and make sure your views are heard. </span><br><span>To apply for a deputation call the Council Secretary on 0131 529 4091.</span><br><span>Full detals of meeting; </span><br><span>Meet outside the City Chambers on the High Street (Royal Mile) at 9am on Thursday 19th November. </span><br><span>The meeting will start at 10am.
</span><br><span></span><br><span>::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::;</span><br><span></span><br><span><span style="font-weight: bold;">6. Find us on the internet</span></span><br><span></span><br><span>You
can find SWAN Edinburgh on Facebook by clicking on this link <font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></font><strong><b><font><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000476495453&ref=name"><strong><b><font face="Times New Roman">http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000476495453&ref=name</font></b></strong></a></font></font></b></strong><strong></strong></span><br><span>and we are currently setting up a
website which should hopefully be up and running by the end of the
week. Once its going you'll be able to find us at <a rel="nofollow">www.swanedinburgh.org.uk</a> .</span></div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span>We also have a blog at <font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></b></span></font><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><b><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.swanedinburgh.blogspot.com/">http://www.swanedinburgh.blogspot.com/</a></b></font> <span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br><span><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Contact us at swanedinburgh@yahoo.co.uk <br></span></span></p></div></td></tr></table><br>