Cheshire cuts social workers

(18/02/10) Less than a year after it was formed, the new Cheshire East council is planning to slash the number of social workers serving its population by nearly half.

The move is tied to a £3m budget cut in adult services due to be agreed at a council meeting next week (26 February).

The council had 110 social workers when it was formed last April – but plans to cut this to just 58, claiming that fewer workers with bigger caseloads will be 'more efficient'.

But the local UNISON branch is sceptical about the council's argument, with branch chair Phil Mason saying: "Looking at the numbers, is it going to work? We have expressed concerns all along the way about the redesign."

The previous Cheshire county council provided social care in four sectors, providing dedicated services to older people, people with learning disabilities, those with mental health needs, and those with physical disabilities.

The new Cheshire East council has reorganised this into just one adult services service, as well as contracting out the meals on wheels service to a private firm and pushing ahead with 'personal budgets' for people needing care.

Overall, around 250 jobs are under threat across the council in the next 12 months.

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