Protesters hit out at Somerset County Council privatising learning disability services

The protest, outside Shire Hall, was over the council’s plan to switch from a council-run service to private company, Dimensions.

The decision to tender the service was taken last year, but recent letters from Dimensions describing potential changes have sparked anger among staff members concerned it will affect the service users’ “quality of life”.

Staff, union members and opposition councillors fear the switch could lead to immediate redundancies, service cuts, loss of day services and changes to job roles.

County Councillor Leigh Redman said: “We wanted to allow a private company to take over as long as the users wanted it and the staff would be treated right and the same as before.

“So far, we have had no guarantee from the council that this will be the case.”

Two support leaders from Somerset County Council's learning disability service.

Staff members fear the changes could impact on the lives of their services users they’ve come to know as family.

Jo White, a support leader for SCC learning disability services, said: “My job is one of the roles that may not exists anymore. Shifting the role jobs will leave greater responsibility on people in lower paid roles.

“It’s not about our pay cuts, we care about how this is going to affect the service users. Using these services gives them a sense of community, they get to meet other people like them, and we are like their family.”

Fellow support leader Ewa Marcinkowska added: “We have got to think about the quality of life for the service user.

“This is our job, but for the service user, it is their life.

“We get to know these people, what their needs are and what their likes are.

“I am from Poland and I’ve worked for the council here for more than seven years.

“I am so proud to work for them because the service in this country for people that need care is fantastic compared to my own country.”

The council and Dimensions both agree that change is necessary in order for the service to survive, and without intervention, it will “wither” due to financial strains.

One demostrator with a sign objecting to the changes.

A spokesman from Somerset County Council said: “This is about modernising a service which without change will wither on the vine - it can’t compete with other providers and less people are choosing to use it.

“The result will be a better service and one that is sustainable in the long-term as we manage the reduced funding that all local authorities have to live with.

“We have gone to great lengths to engage with service users, parent/carers, staff and unions and shared information as and when we have it. This will continue with ongoing conversations before any formal consultation around terms and conditions and a review of day services which, over the next year, will involve customers, their parent/carers and staff in helping design the support they want to see.”

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The Dimensions contract begins on April 1 and the letters to staff explained three major changes: differences in staff terms and conditions, restructuring, and service modernisation.

Luke Joy-Smith, managing director for Dimensions, said: “Dimensions is committed to meeting the future needs of people with learning disabilities across Somerset.

“In doing so we will draw upon our reputation for innovation in the sector to further develop support, which will focus on enabling our customers to contribute to their communities as active citizens and lead fulfilling lives.

“We have been engaging with all our stakeholders, including Somerset County Council, customers, families, colleagues and unions over the past six months to review current operations as part of the process of transition to a social enterprise.

“We have made it very clear from the outset that change is required to ensure financial sustainability of the service going forward. It is important to note that until the contract starts on April 1, all employees remain SCC employees, however, we are committed to building our level of engagement to help share the changes required in order to develop a sustainable and attractive new social enterprise.”