The Cabinet member responsible for Adult Social Care, Cllr Roger Mazillius, has caused upset and anger after a member of the public saw a copy of an email he sent to all members regarding the invitation to shadow a care worker.
Last week head of Legal at the Isle of Wight council, Davina Fiore, wrote to all councillors warning them of the risk of breaching the Code of Conduct if they chose take up the invitation to shadow a care worker for a day.
“I am well aware of what is involved as a carer”
VB was sent (from several sources) a copy of Davina’s email, along with a response from Cllr Roger Mazillius (see below), which he copied to all members too.
Many thanks Davina. Most timely and expertly put and which also explains I suggest why most Members have not responded to the request.
For the record however, having a 99 year old relative now in residential care who I regularly visit and have had an elected Member’s interest in and experience of social care for many years I am well aware of what is involved as a carer not just for adults but for younger persons.
I expect many Members have similar experience and do not need to invade the privacy of anyone!
I would add that I would be surprised if any residential provider would allow a non-relative to adopt the suggested role in the first place.
“I found his email insulting”
John Luckett, the care worker who made the invitation to all councillors to shadow a care worker for a day also saw a copy of Cllr Mazillius’ email and told VB that he thought it was insulting.
He told VB , “I’ve been working in the care industry for over 16 years. We will be doing this properly and I don’t need to be told by Cllr Mazillius that users’ privacy needs to be considered.”
John went on to reiterate that safeguarding of the users is of the highest importance and would not be done without full consent.
He also said that in his opinion, most users would welcome interest from elected representatives and that everyone’s rights would be respected.
Once again, it seems that something written in an email by Cllr Mazillius to other members has caused upset to a member of the public.
