The staff of Sandwell’s Childrens Department are threatening to strike.
The Childrens Department deals with children who have suffered or are at risk of suffering serious harm in their homes. This may be sexual or physical abuse or their parents may be neglectful or incompetent. It is the department’s job to offer these children protection which may involve removal to foster homes and adoption.
Ofsted, a totally independent body, has judged Sandwell’s Children’s department inadequate and exposing these vulnerable children to further risk. Not once, but consistently over a number of inspections and for a number of years.
As usual the councillor immediately responsible, Cllr Simon Hackett, attempted to excuse and evade responsibility. The union dogs representing those whose efforts were directly criticised also failed to bark.
The council in the midst of these criticisms saw fit to slash £5 million from the department budget. Again the unions remained silent and of the caring socialist councillors, only the voice of Cllr. Steven Jones was raised in question.
With no improvement in sight, the government was forced to appoint a commissioner to run the service. The commissioner has recommended that Sandwell’s Childrens service be run by an independent body. Now the unions are screaming blue murder. The Sandwell branch secretary of Unison is talking of “privatising or cutting” and claiming the move is “ideologically driven”. Rubbish, the service was seriously defective and remedy was required. The overwhelming votes in favour of industrial action by those employed in the department simply represent self serving arrogance by those directly judged wanting. Union members found defective in performance are now defensively protecting themselves, not the children in their care.
If strike there is, our advice to the commissioner is to sack the strikers. A new start is to be welcomed rather than feared. The situation also provides an opportunity for Cllr Steve Eling to demonstrate leadership and support reform and effectiveness in this vital council service. We are not holding our breath.