The trade union for care workers in Wales says a decision to award a contract for 13 Powys care homes to a private company is "not in the best interests of clients, their families or care workers".

The decision announced last week will see Welsh company Shaw Healthcare take over at 12 facilities currently run by BUPA, as well as an intermediate care home run jointly by the council and Powys Teaching Health Board, later this year.

Unison, the largest trade union in the United Kingdom with almost 1.4 million members, says the 'logical decision' would have been to take all care services in-house to be managed directly by the council.

It also added that the decision-making process failed to involve the trade union in any form when appointing a new provider to take over the BUPA contract.

John Byrne, UNISON Powys branch secretary said: "Powys people deserve care that is solely based on what is best for individuals and their families and the care workforce and not on generating a profit for a private company.

"When services are operated directly by the council there is democratic accountability so people have a say about the quality of the service. Councils have the power to intervene to positively shape the lives of their citizens.

"When care workers are employed by private companies their wages and employment conditions are often squeezed and they then suffer in-work poverty.

"When Powys council was considering legal action against BUPA in August 2017, UNISON warned private care companies have priorities that are out of step with a public services ethos.

"It’s sad Powys didn’t follow the example of Pembrokeshire County Council which won widespread praise for bringing care services in-house when Allied Healthcare collapsed.

"UNISON’s message to the council is to engage with staff, trades unions and users to devise an in-house care plan which places the quality of service and users at the core."

A statement issued by the county council said their priority was to ensure "safe high-quality care" for residents.

“We are very pleased to be able to announce our intent to partner with Shaw healthcare, a Welsh based company which is largely staff-owned," said Councillor Stephen Hayes.

"As a Council our priority is to ensure safe, high-quality care and support for the residents of these homes and we are confident that Shaw healthcare will be a positive partner for Powys County Council and the Powys Teaching Health Board.”

Shaw Healthcare declined to comment.