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Congleton Liberal DemocratsCampaigning all year round for the people of Congleton, Holmes Chapel, Alsager, Middlewich, Sandbach and surrounding areas. |
Reorganising social services - Letter to Congleton Chronicle
February 21, 2010 7:11 PM
Dear Sir,
The plan by Cheshire East Council to save money by reorganising social services merits serious consideration. It must be tempting to employ people who demand lower salaries on the basis that they can perform tasks adequately. They are also intending to increase transport and day and home care costs to our frail and often deprived elderly population. For instance, the Council is proposing to increase the charges for home care from £17.76 to £19.80 per hour.
It is true that others could do many of the functions presently performed by experienced social workers. Assistants could help to complete forms and perform administrative tasks. Social workers are best used in my opinion doing what they were trained for. Visiting clients, building relationships and understanding what is best for everyone concerned. They then need to sell their conclusions to clients, managers and relatives.
What is lacking in the Council's plans is any consideration of what social workers themselves actually think. It is a sad fact that we do not give social workers the status in our society that properly reflects the circumstances under which they work. Surely, they would enjoy being consulted about how they could perform their vital role better within the present financial restraints. People who actually do the job are invariably those who know best how to improve it.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Peter Hirst
Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Congleton
Rushton Drive
Middlewich
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