UNISON Cymru hailed the first union recognition agreement with a private home care provider in Wales today.

Care staff at Seren Support Services in South Wales will now have a stronger voice at work, the union said.

Branch officer Ditene Favour Emono hailed the agreement as “an important step forward” for staff at Seren that should encourage other care providers across Wales to recognise the value of working with staff and their unions.

Unison Cymru social care lead Mark Turner said: “Care workers are being given a real say in the decisions affecting them at work.

“Seren has shown that private care providers can work constructively with unions and give staff a stronger say. Other care providers across Wales should now adopt the same agreement.”

Seren has also become the first employer to adopt a model agreement drawn up by the Wales Social Care Workforce Partnership.