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Union warns over social work cuts Union warns over social work cuts
(about 1 hour later)
Plans to halve the number of team leaders at a children's social work service could leave it facing "meltdown", a union has claimed.Plans to halve the number of team leaders at a children's social work service could leave it facing "meltdown", a union has claimed.
Unison said Edinburgh City Council had proposed cutting 50% of team leaders at its Children and Families social work service.Unison said Edinburgh City Council had proposed cutting 50% of team leaders at its Children and Families social work service.
The union has called an emergency meeting of staff to discuss the proposals.The union has called an emergency meeting of staff to discuss the proposals.
The council said child protective services remained a top priority.The council said child protective services remained a top priority.
Tom Connolly, Unison branch service conditions officer, said: "These frontline staff are the people who have held the service together for years, often despite the council, and certainly without the resources to do the job.Tom Connolly, Unison branch service conditions officer, said: "These frontline staff are the people who have held the service together for years, often despite the council, and certainly without the resources to do the job.
"Without them, the service could face meltdown.""Without them, the service could face meltdown."
Unison said the latest consultation to reduce the number of team leaders followed earlier cuts to the council's Working Together services.Unison said the latest consultation to reduce the number of team leaders followed earlier cuts to the council's Working Together services.
There is absolutely no intention of reducing frontline social work services Jenny DawCouncil leaderThere is absolutely no intention of reducing frontline social work services Jenny DawCouncil leader
It also warned there may not be enough money to cover the existing 143 frontline social workers, who look after almost 4,000 child protection cases.It also warned there may not be enough money to cover the existing 143 frontline social workers, who look after almost 4,000 child protection cases.
Mr Connolly added: "Many of our members feel things are getting worse than they have ever been and more risky than they have ever been."Mr Connolly added: "Many of our members feel things are getting worse than they have ever been and more risky than they have ever been."
Unison said the council had promised to reduce the number of children looked after by each social workers from 19 to 14 following the high-profile Victoria Climbie inquiry in 2003. Unison said the council had promised to reduce the number of children looked after by each social worker from 19 to 14 following the high-profile Victoria Climbie inquiry in 2003.
Agnes Petkevicius, Edinburgh branch secretary, said: "The reality is that, since then, caseloads have gone up with staff carrying well over 20 cases. Now they want them to carry even more.Agnes Petkevicius, Edinburgh branch secretary, said: "The reality is that, since then, caseloads have gone up with staff carrying well over 20 cases. Now they want them to carry even more.
"The council seems determined not to learn from inquiries or inspections and that beggars belief.""The council seems determined not to learn from inquiries or inspections and that beggars belief."
Unison said it will consult members on a formal response and has not ruled out industrial action. Unison said it would consult members on a formal response and had not ruled out industrial action.
Council leader Jenny Daw said: "Child protective services have and will continue to be a top priority for the council.Council leader Jenny Daw said: "Child protective services have and will continue to be a top priority for the council.
"Our aim is to ensure that the service meets its demands and is as effective as possible. There is absolutely no intention of reducing frontline social work services."Our aim is to ensure that the service meets its demands and is as effective as possible. There is absolutely no intention of reducing frontline social work services.
"However we are reviewing our management structure and have been and will continue to meet with Unison." "However, we are reviewing our management structure and have been and will continue to meet with Unison."