A passionate protest by social workers against a planned council restructure disrupted a meeting of Bath and North East Somerset Council on Monday, March 9. The demonstrators voiced their opposition to job losses at the council’s children’s social care department, fearing the changes will dismantle vital frontline preventative services.
Echoing through the council chamber were chants of “What do we want? No job losses! Who do we tell? Council bosses!” – louder than the councilors’ discussions. The restructuring involves five confirmed redundancies, but many more social workers face the elimination of their roles and teams, forcing them to reapply for new positions amid significant uncertainty.
Tracey Bidgood, a dedicated social worker with 33 years of service, revealed her entire team in the Connecting Families program had been disbanded. She described the impact as “devastating.” The Connecting Families team offers intensive early help to families facing complex challenges, aiming to prevent children from entering the formal social care system. Bidgood emphasized, “It’s not just a job. It’s a life choice.”
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Retired social worker Mark Baldwin, now a volunteer with the same team, addressed the council’s scrutiny committee calling the decision to dismantle the service “shocking and dismaying.” He highlighted that the “government policy does not require this action,” and criticized the council for destroying an award-winning service that has effectively transformed local families’ lives.
The council responded that the restructure was a response to the government’s “families first” reforms, necessitating the creation of multi-disciplinary family help teams. Social workers from Connecting Families will be integrated into these new teams to provide more consistent support to families.
Paul May, cabinet member for children’s services, insisted the council values the Connecting Families team’s expertise. “It’s not about doing away with the team. It’s about using that team in the most effective way in the future,” he said.
During the meeting, windows had to be shut to muffle the protestors’ megaphone chants outside the Guildhall. Councillor Joanna Wright expressed empathy with the concerned social workers, acknowledging their dedication and anxieties for the children they serve. She urged the council to extend the consultation process.
Amid the turmoil, social worker Marie Porter told the committee that the Connecting Families team was being “obliterated” and rejected the council’s assurances of continuity as a “sham.” She recalled families’ heartfelt praise for the support they received, and urged the council to reconsider.
This protest comes shortly after the council narrowly averted a strike by children’s social care managers over pay grading disputes. Unison, the trade union representing the social workers, also stood in solidarity with striking staff from mental health charity Second Step, who are campaigning for fair pay.
A council spokesperson emphasized that the draft proposals are currently under consultation and aimed at improving services for local children and families. They reassured staff that their feedback is welcomed and no final decisions have been made. The council acknowledged and corrected recent errors in communications and committed to ongoing dialogue throughout the process.