Breaking News: Covid Heroes face the sack by Barnet Council
The Barnet Group is an arm’s length company 100% owned by Barnet Council.
On Friday 9 February 2024, Enablement Home Care workers were told that they were no longer needed.
“We are the best at what we do, that is why we look after people discharged from hospital for 8 weeks till other carers takeover.”
Care worker
“They should be expanding our service, not shutting it, what we do is vital and we do it well”
Care worker
Staff and Barnet UNISON left the meeting with the following questions:
- Enablement is a well-run and valued service – why isn’t TBG expanding rather than closing the service?
- What engagement has taken place with stakeholders – our tenants and clients?
- When will we know if this is a TUPE or a Closure?
- What are they consulting staff and UNISON on? UNISON is clear that TBG need to provide more details before commencing with 121’s?
- When will ‘consultation’ begin and how long will it last?
Background:
This service was handed to TBG after senior officers working for Barnet Council spectacularly failed over the procurement of Aquaflo a private contractor who had been given the contract by Barnet Council to deliver home care for Barnet residents.
“‘Disaster’ – Aquaflo Care company’s takeover from Housing 21 goes badly wrong.” 15th September 2016.
Covid: How quickly senior officers and councillors forget
It is only a few years ago that these workers were called heroes as they went into Barnet residents’ homes to provide care and support whilst many of the senior managers and councillors issued instructions from the safety of their homes.Barnet UNISON will be providing support to all of our members.
Barnet UNISON will be providing support to all of our members and in the meantime, we are calling on Barnet Council to reverse this decision and bring it back in-house to the Adult Social Care directorate where it belongs. The decision by senior officers is at odds with the Labour Party position on creating a National Care Service which is something UNISON supports. “Unison’s general secretary, Christina McAnea, told the Observer: “Care is in crisis and the need for a national service has never been greater.”
More news later.
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