ECCA, a registered charity, is the leading representative body for independent care homes and speaks with a unified voice both for its members and the whole community care sector.

Working on behalf of small, medium and large providers, our aim is to promote high standards of health and social care in the independent sector and create an environment in which care homes can deliver the high quality care that communities require and deserve.

Our membership includes organisations of varying types and sizes, amongst them single care homes, small local groups, national providers and not-for-profit voluntary organisations and associations. Between them they provide a variety of services for older people and those with long term conditions, learning disabilities or mental health problems

Overseas Senior Care Workers ECCA Judicial Review Update
ECCA recently took the Government to Judicial Review on the decision by the Borders and Immigration Agency (BIA) to change its practice with regard to work permits for overseas senior care workers.

The Review has been led by Kashif Majeed of Aston Brooke Solicitors and the barristers in the case have come from the Chambers of Michael Mansfield QC.

The Judicial Review is currently suspended following a decision by the Government and BIA to do some initial consultation on their change in practice and also on the rate of £7.02 an hour which they unilaterally decided was the rate for the job of a senior care worker.

As well as the issue of new work permits there was also a significant problem with renewals. Following the announcement of the Judicial Review and the pressure put on BIA by ECCA and others the Government has retreated on its previous approach and has been enabling more people to renew their work permits.

We have been particularly well supported in this Judicial Review by many care providers, including Southern Cross, Four Seasons and Barchester but we still welcome support from anybody who has been affected by this issue.

If you wish to support the campaign further please contact us at ECCA.

ECCA has a new online supplier directory, to feature in this please email vicki.woodthorpe@ecca.org.uk

ECCA 2008 Conference

Wednesday 12 November 2008
Holiday Inn, Bloomsbury, London WC1

NEWS
CSCI Inspector Supports Care Services.
updated 30/6/08
Following the broadcast of a recent Today programme about care homes, a CSCI inspector has written to Paul Snell, Chief Inspector CSCI, to outline her views on independent care providers: “Experience shows me that the majority of social care providers are working hard to provide quality care under difficult circumstances. They come in for a lot of undeserved criticism when they deserve support to help them to continually improve the services provided to vulnerable people.I am clear that I (and I'm sure I speak for my colleagues) judge a home's quality rating according to the quality of service provided.

ECCA Campaign on the Funding of Care
updated 9/6/08
ECCA has launched a report on care funding and calls for local authorities and other commissioners to behave fairly and give care providers inflation rate increases so that they can continue to provide quality care.
At a time when the Government is talking about personalisation and improved quality, local commissioners are starving services of the resources they require to make this policy a reality. Read ECCA’s campaign report on funding.

Green Paper on Reform of Adult Support and Care System - have your say
updated 30/10/07
The Government is rethinking the way the state supports people to retain their independence and intends to develop a reform strategy for the adult support and social care system. The next period will be spent in consultation with public, private and third sector organisations, including ECCA. Please contribute to this debate by letting us know your views, suggestions and opinions on the future of social care. 
Contribute to the debate