Sad day

I was sad to hear the news that our members in the Welfare Rights Unit were given their redundancy letter last Friday. I have known some members of the team for over 10 years and have been involved with them in a number of restructures and cuts over that period of time.

The Unit was identified as a cut in this year’s budget. UNISON (with the help of our members) fought a long and hard campaign to try and keep this small but much needed service.  We submitted countless reports to Council Committees clearly demonstrating that this is a unique and specialist service.

However, Cabinet Committee did not agree, and so the service finally comes to an end early 2010. 

I want to thank the members of staff in the Unit for all their work. They have shown great professionalism to maintain a level of service when they themselves have been facing an uncertain future for almost a year. It is shame that staff of such a high calibre are leaving the Council.

I want to thank all the social workers and staff for their messages of support for the Unit. I hope those of you who have used the Unit have clear plans in place as to how you are going to support services users and their families.

Farewell Welfare Rights Unit we will miss you