WORRIED carers in York fear their jobs could be at risk following a detailed review of how their work is done.

Council bosses are considering a number of possible new developments, including changing the criteria for eligibility for home care and introducing special services for those with high-dependency needs.

Home carers employed by the council are worried that the proposals could see job cuts if their work is moved to the private sector.

Many of the care employees are mothers who find that working for the council's home care service fits in with family life, so it is easy to appreciate their anxiety about the future.

However, theirs is not the main concern in this issue.

That lies with the people they care for. Vulnerable people with great needs, including dementia, should always be thought of first.

Their needs are paramount and they are not, in general, able to act for themselves - or even, in some cases, contribute to the debate about how their care is conducted.

This is not to give City of York Council carte blanche to make any changes, but it is to recognise that there may be a way forward which ensures that those being cared for are looked after in the best way possible.

Everything changes given time, and if the council's home care services needs modernising, then perhaps good can come from the current review - especially if the dedicated care workers still have a high-profile role in providing an important service.

Updated: 10:30 Tuesday, December 06, 2005