Charity Sue Ryder is calling for a "democratic revolution" in the way British care homes are run and managed, Third Sector reports.

Controversially, the charity believes that homes should be "governed for residents, by residents", those with residential support workers jobs may be interested to learn.

The suggestion follows the publication of a Demos report which the charity commissioned, that looked at the future of the UK's care system.

They propose allowing residents more independence and control over their own lives, through offering them input into the recruitment of staff, arranging activities and buying necessary equipment.

The report claims that culture is the only barrier to this idea, rather than funding, as it would not cost much to give residents the power to make decisions. It would, however, require a rethink as to how staff would carry out their duties.

Katherine Murphy of the Patients Association agreed with that point: "Giving residents a chance to agree on how their care home should be run is a big step in changing this." 

Not everyone in the industry is convinced. Speaking for the National Care Association, Nadia Ahmed told BBC News: "It's a laudable ambition and it's what we want to happen.

"Regrettably more and more residents coming in are past the point of being able to make those choices. So we have to talk about shared responsibility with family and friends."