West Dunbartonshire Council social workers consult on strike action

Unison said its members feared the service had reached a "crisis point" with almost 250 unallocated cases in children and families.

The move comes after the Reporter exclusively revealed this month that the merger of the Alexandria and Clydebank teams into Aurora House in Clydebank was causing severe problems. With a dozen posts also vacant currently, staff warned there could be a "Baby P-type incident occurring in West Dunbartonshire".

Council bosses had initially claimed there were only 20 unallocated cases instead of 210. Unison now states there are 250 and will hold a consultative strike ballot.

The council insist they are working with staff over their concerns.

Simon Macfarlane, Unison regional organiser, said: “This is unprecedented. Our members are at breaking point and the service is on its knees.

"Our members have lodged a collective grievance with the council over the poor service that children and families have been receiving, unacceptable workloads and staff safety.

"These committed staff are going above and beyond every day to look after some of the most vulnerable people in our communities – the fact is these people deserve better, and so do social work staff.

“We’ve raised our concerns with the council on many occasions but still have no commitment to deliver the additional resources that are so desperately needed.”

Read more: West Dunbartonshire social workers fear 'child tragedy'

Mr Macfarlane called for "urgent action" and "immediate additional resources".

He said: “Strike action is not a decision our members take lightly. But the massive cuts to the service have resulted in an unacceptable workload and its children and families who are suffering.

"We’ve seen our members in tears as a result of the stress they are under.

"To have nearly 250 unallocated cases is absolutely shocking.

"Not only is it risking lives but it also means no early intervention work is being done so, by the time children and families get a service, things are increasingly at crisis point and the costs, time to address, and harm suffered have all escalated.

"We need local leaders who will stand up the vital services our communities rely on, and for the dedicated staff who deliver them.”

A local social worker told the Reporter the situation was a "crisis" and it was only a "wing and a prayer" preventing a serious incident from happening.

They added: "The anger is tangible."

Read more: Parent calls for return to two social work teams in West Dunbartonshire

Councillor Jim Bollan, who first raised the issue in February, said: "The Community Party fully supports these dedicated staff in their struggle to provide a safe service for their clients and themselves in the social work department.

"The section has 12 unfilled posts which need to be filled urgently. The Vale Office also needs to be reopened urgently to provide a local base for clients and staff to work from, again in a safe environment.

"I will support the staff in any action they think is necessary to return to a safe service for many vulnerable and at-risk clients and their families."

The council met with Unison most recently on Thursday where the union called for a minimum six agency staff and immediate improvement in access to facilities in Dumbarton and the Vale in particular.

A council spokeswoman said: "We are continuing to work with staff and their trade union representatives to maintain and improve services and have listened to and are addressing the concerns they have raised.

"Recruitment of additional social workers is well underway with agency staff providing cover until the posts are filled. We are also in the process of finalising an offer regarding outstanding time off in lieu and unused annual leave.

"We recognise and appreciate the efforts staff have made to maintain the essential services they provide and like them our priority remains supporting families who need it in our community."