WALTHAM FOREST: Children's services targeted in next round of cuts (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

WALTHAM FOREST: Children's services targeted in next round of cuts

10:24am Wednesday 16th February 2011 in Waltham Forest News By Daniel Binns

WALTHAM FOREST: Children's services targeted in next round of cuts

AS more staff helping the vulnerable learn they could lose their jobs, the council has been accused of implementing cuts with “enthusiastic zeal”.

After leading councillors last week approved the axing of 230 roles, including cleaners and school support staff, it has emerged that more of those working in social care for adults and children are now facing unemployment.

The fourth phase of cuts will see staff working in sheltered housing halved and the jobs of six adolescent support workers placed under threat.

A total of 51 youth workers and advisor posts could also be axed, leaving just a management team and 13 development workers.

As previously reported by the Guardian, the borough's children's centres, early support and early years departments, housing services posts and staff in revenues and benefits departments are already affected.

This has prompted a public sector union to criticise the council for its approach.

Dave Knight, secretary of Unison Waltham Forest, said: "I thought [the council] would want to resist the Government as much as possible but they seem to have an enthusiastic zeal for this.

“I'm surprised that the council are being so zealous.

“They are moving very quickly and there's a lot of uncertainty, but they're pushing ahead regardless.

“Speaking to my union colleagues in other boroughs there doesn't seem to be quite the same pace of cuts as here.

“But I don't think that when the council save £65million the Government will turn round and say 'well done here's some extra funding' – I think the cuts will only get worse.”

The Guardian understands the council is planning at least four more waves of savings.

These include the planned closure of Waltham Forest Direct shops (phase five), downsizing of the school music service (phase six), further restructuring of senior management (phase seven) and changes to staff’s employment terms and conditions (phase eight).

The authority, which says it must save £65million over the next four years due to an unprecedented reduction in Government funding, says it has little choice over what to cut.

The coalition government insists cuts can be made without impacting on front line services.

A March in protest at the cuts will take place on Saturday (February 19), starting at Abbots Park in Leyton at noon.