Tensions flared at a Bath and North East Somerset Council meeting on March 9, as social workers loudly protested planned redundancies disrupting a discussion on restructuring children’s social care services. The meeting almost had to be suspended due to the protest’s intensity.
Chants of “What do we want? No job losses! Who do we tell? Council bosses!” echoed through the council chamber, drowning out councillor voices. The council committee was reviewing a significant reorganisation that would eliminate entire teams, including the 33-year veteran Tracey Bidgood’s Connecting Families unit. This team offers intensive early intervention for families with complex needs, aiming to prevent children from entering social care.
Describing the cuts as “devastating,” Bidgood, alongside fellow social workers, expressed that their work is not just employment but a dedicated life’s mission. Retired social worker and volunteer Mark Baldwin criticized the move as unnecessary and harmful, noting that government policy does not mandate such drastic measures. He lamented the planned dismantling of an award-winning, highly successful service that transformed local children and families’ lives.
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The council justified the changes by citing government “families first” reforms, which promote the creation of multidisciplinary family help teams. These reforms intend to improve service continuity for families by integrating social workers like those from the Connecting Families team into broader teams.
Council cabinet member Paul May emphasized that this restructuring aims to deploy staff more effectively, not eliminate their roles. However, the protest erupted outside the Guildhall with Unison union members using megaphones, forcing the closure of council chamber windows to contain the noise. Councillor Joanna Wright acknowledged the fear felt by social workers dedicated to children’s wellbeing and expressed dissatisfaction with the council’s handling of the consultation process, calling for an extension.
During a moment of high tension, social worker Marie Porter described the dismantling of her team as an obliteration and called the council’s justification a “sham.” She shared powerful testimonials from families praising the team’s transformative impact on their lives.
This protest came shortly after the social care department narrowly averted strike action over pay grading disputes, with Unison suspending the strike after productive talks with the council. In a show of solidarity, striking staff from the mental health charity Second Step also joined the demonstration, demanding fair pay.
In response, a Bath and North East Somerset Council spokesperson highlighted that proposals are still under consultation, intended to improve services for children and families. The council expressed regret for administrative errors in communication and reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing dialogue with staff.