Controversial proposals to reduce staff within social work teams in Bath and North East Somerset are raising fears that foster carers may abandon their vital roles. At a recent full council meeting on March 19, two foster carers voiced urgent concerns that planned cuts will undermine support systems essential to fostering.
One carer emphasized the existing shortage of foster carers locally, stating, “We already do not have enough foster carers for the children we have. The government is trying to recruit and retain foster carers because there is a national crisis — yet here in Bath and North East Somerset, it feels like carers are being pushed out the door.”
These proposed changes stem from a contentious restructuring of the council’s children’s services department. While only five staff face redundancy, numerous social workers will see their roles eliminated as teams shrink, forcing them to compete for fewer positions. Outside the Guildhall, protests erupted, with cheers audible inside as the foster carers spoke.
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The primary concern is the planned removal of managerial roles within the Alternative Care team—supervising social workers who provide critical support to foster carers. One foster carer explained, “Fostering does not happen in isolation. We rely on supervising social workers when emergencies arise and during challenging times. Their guidance is invaluable, and stripping away their managers threatens the safety net foster carers depend on.”
She added, “It is shameful. You are dismantling the support structures that allow foster carers to do this job safely. Without this support, foster carers will leave.”
Another carer shared her gratitude for a supportive team that understands their needs, emphasizing the importance of trust and stability built over time. She urged the council to actively consult foster carers and children in care throughout the restructuring process.
Council leader Kevin Guy responded by inviting the carers to engage directly with senior officials and relevant cabinet members. A council spokesperson affirmed their commitment to listening to foster carers and young people, pledging to incorporate their feedback to better shape service plans.
This reorganization is partly driven by the government’s “Families First” social work reforms, aimed at creating multi-disciplinary family help teams to reduce social worker turnover for families. However, local social workers warn that the restructure will diminish their capacity to provide early intervention and foster parent support.
Opposition Labour councillors call for a halt and restart of the process, advocating for staff involvement to ensure effective outcomes. Labour group leader Robin Moss said, “Staff want the process to begin again. There is time to pause, reconsider, and bring staff fully on board.”
Additionally, a significant line of social workers protested outside the meeting, organized by the union Unison. Concurrently, 28 team managers and deputy managers took strike action over pay grading disputes.
A Unison representative highlighted the strong community and worker opposition, noting that “senior leadership tried to dismiss concerns as ‘a few loud voices,’ but the demonstration showed overwhelming disagreement with the proposals.” Despite the protest’s angry tone, the mood remained determined, with foster carers delivering moving testimonies in support.