Children's centre staff in Windsor and Maidenhead could face losing their jobs as the council proposes to cut its Sure Start budget by more than 40 per cent.
The union GMB has revealed that the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead is proposing to reduce the number of children’s centre staff it employs from 28 to 16 in a bid to make savings of 43 per cent.
It is thought that the council is intending to encourage more volunteers to help run the centres.
Last month, the council’s cabinet announced its decision to keep open all nine children’s centres after consulting members of the public on the future of the settings following cuts to Sure Start.
In a statement, the council proposed introducing a ‘streamlined arrangement’ with three hubs at Maidenhead, Windsor and Datchet, each with a single manager and support staff working across the centres, a measure which it claims will help to reduce costs.
Councillor Eileen Quick, cabinet member for children's services, said, ‘With such an overwhelming level of support for keeping the centres open, we must look at reducing central management and admin costs. This will mean re-organising the workforce and unfortunately some posts will be lost but we will do our very best to redeploy affected staff wherever possible.’
However, the GMB has accused the council of trying to ‘mislead the public’ by suggesting the cuts are restricted to management and administrative overheads, whereas they claim front-line staff will also face losing their jobs.
Frank Minal, GMB organiser, said, ‘These proposals are shocking. The Sure Start initiative is meant to give children the best possible start in life. Cutting back will impact on families who need practical support from the well trained staff in the Sure Start centres.
‘The council’s answer to slashing staff is to seek yet more volunteers in the children centres. The question that must be raised is why target those families in the community needing critical services and what protective measures will be in place to protect vulnerable children when the service is removed.
He added, ‘GMB and staff will resist these madcap proposals and are considering protests in the locality. It is a disgrace that Tories in a well-off area like Windsor and Maidenhead should target the little kids with their cuts. GMB is calling for a broad-based campaign to oppose these proposals.’
In reaction to the claims by the GMB, a council spokesperson said, ‘Absolutely no decisions have been made on the impact on staff relating to children’s centres in the Royal Borough. The council is currently in consultation with staff and when that is completed we will take a report to cabinet for a final decision.’
It is thought that the council is intending to encourage more volunteers to help run the centres.
Last month, the council’s cabinet announced its decision to keep open all nine children’s centres after consulting members of the public on the future of the settings following cuts to Sure Start.
In a statement, the council proposed introducing a ‘streamlined arrangement’ with three hubs at Maidenhead, Windsor and Datchet, each with a single manager and support staff working across the centres, a measure which it claims will help to reduce costs.
Councillor Eileen Quick, cabinet member for children's services, said, ‘With such an overwhelming level of support for keeping the centres open, we must look at reducing central management and admin costs. This will mean re-organising the workforce and unfortunately some posts will be lost but we will do our very best to redeploy affected staff wherever possible.’
However, the GMB has accused the council of trying to ‘mislead the public’ by suggesting the cuts are restricted to management and administrative overheads, whereas they claim front-line staff will also face losing their jobs.
Frank Minal, GMB organiser, said, ‘These proposals are shocking. The Sure Start initiative is meant to give children the best possible start in life. Cutting back will impact on families who need practical support from the well trained staff in the Sure Start centres.
‘The council’s answer to slashing staff is to seek yet more volunteers in the children centres. The question that must be raised is why target those families in the community needing critical services and what protective measures will be in place to protect vulnerable children when the service is removed.
He added, ‘GMB and staff will resist these madcap proposals and are considering protests in the locality. It is a disgrace that Tories in a well-off area like Windsor and Maidenhead should target the little kids with their cuts. GMB is calling for a broad-based campaign to oppose these proposals.’
In reaction to the claims by the GMB, a council spokesperson said, ‘Absolutely no decisions have been made on the impact on staff relating to children’s centres in the Royal Borough. The council is currently in consultation with staff and when that is completed we will take a report to cabinet for a final decision.’