Cambridgeshire County Council’s decision to shut a service helping children in care to return to their families would harm vulnerable children and end up costing more money, UNISON and Unite warn today.
Councillors voted to shut down the reunification and placement stability service (RAPSS) last week, putting its five specialist staff at risk of losing their jobs, say the unions.
The authority also voted to slash funding to its domestic abuse and violence service, with a further 17 possible job losses. The cuts would mean only the most severely affected victims of domestic abuse get support, add the unions.
RAPSS workers help young people in care return home, supporting families prepare for the child’s return and ensuring a stable environment once they’re back.
Research commissioned by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and Action for Children points out that the principle that children should live with their families wherever possible is enshrined in both domestic and international law.
But often reunification breaks down because there’s insufficient support in place, leading to children re-entering care, the same research shows.
Reunification also saves the council money, say UNISON and Unite. The number of high-cost placements, costing more than £10,000 a week, have soared in recent years, Local Government Association figures show.
By reunifying just one high-cost case a year, the team can easily cover its £250,000 annual budget, say the unions.
The council wants to shift reunification responsibility to its children’s social work team. But the unions warn social workers are already stretched beyond their limit and don’t have the resources to do the extra work.
UNISON Cambridgeshire County branch secretary Rob Turner said: “Scrapping the reunification team is callous and counter-productive.
“Staff carry out a vital job helping young people move out of care and back to their families, making sure parents can provide the loving, stable environment children need.
“That alone would be reason enough to keep staff in their jobs. But the reality is that this service also saves the council hundreds of thousands of pounds a year and eases the immense pressures on social workers. Councillors must scrap this closure and keep this essential service going.”
Unite regional officer Rosie Newbigging said: “Local government services are being cut without thought for the impact. Austerity continues.
“The threatened closure of the reunification service would be a very cruel cut. It makes no economic sense. The service saves the council more than it costs and more importantly, it improves the life chances of some of the most vulnerable children and young people.
“Added to this, the loss of several independent domestic violence advisors will place many people at risk. Local government is in crisis.”