Croydon (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Carers First has proposed axing managers’ roles at its Croydon centre in a controversial restructuring move, raising concerns among staff and local carers.
As reported by Inside Croydon, despite Mayor Jason Perry’s assurances of a smooth transition and no layoffs, two senior managers at the Croydon Carers’ Support Centre have recently been informed that they would be let go.
Only a few weeks after Mayor Jason Perry assured everyone that “there will be no loss of service” and that there would be “a seamless transition,” Carers First, the council’s new service providers, have begun laying off employees at the Croydon Carers’ Centre on George Street.
Faced with irate protests over the potential closing of the Carers’ Centre, the Tory Mayor was compelled to do a quick U-turn.
The new service providers, Carers First, based in Kent, took a financial penalty to keep the center operating (for the time being, as the building’s lease expires in 18 months) and avoid criticizing Mayor Perry. However, they are now trying to reduce the extra expenses they have incurred.
After Carers First was named as the new service provider a month earlier, Inside Croydon first reported on the potential of job layoffs in the carers’ service as a budget-balancing exercise.
Mayor Perry and the financially stressed council had made the decision to switch the Whitgift Foundation, a local charity, to caregivers First, an out-of-borough business, to provide the mandatory caregivers’ support services.
The Foundation had about nine employees at the Carers’ Centre, but they could no longer afford to run it without the council contract.
For almost ten years, the center has been providing assistance to struggling families in the area. Following Croydon Council’s decision to divide the provision for caregivers into three sections, with caregivers First now providing evaluations for adult carers, it was scheduled to close on March 14.
From the Whitgift Foundation to the payroll of Carers’ First, the council promised that no jobs would be lost and that Croydon-based employees would be “TUPE’d over” when the news of the Carers’ Centre closure first broke, as exclusively reported by Inside Croydon.
TUPE-ing, or “Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment),” is a widespread practice in the public sector that aims to safeguard workers in the event that a company’s ownership or service provider changes.
However, such “protection of employment” hasn’t lasted very long for at least two employees of the Croydon Carers’ Support Centre.
In order to maintain their wellbeing and take breaks from caring responsibilities, Croydon carers can find alternative support through social care assessments, respite care services, direct payments.
When Carers First took over the service on April 1, a letter was sent to the workers in March alerting them to the likelihood of an upcoming redundancy procedure. Mayor Perry was unintentionally exposed as a liar when the excuse offered was “due to financial sustainability within the contract price.”
It is believed that two managers who have served Croydon for a total of more than 15 years, with a wealth of in-depth local knowledge and expertise, were informed that their skills were no longer needed.
In order to assist carers in planning and arranging appropriate support, organisations such as Carers UK offer helplines, factsheets, and advice on getting breaks and alternative care choices.
It is the council’s responsibility to make sure that carers and the people they look for continue to receive the right kind of assistance and, if necessary, to help them locate other services and placements.
According to George Street sources, the managers’ pay will have been less than £30,000, which is comparatively small. According to a source, “they have always led in-person activities, including book clubs and bereavement counseling.”
“Their loss deprives the centre, team and carers of their caring presence, dedication and expertise. They will be greatly missed.”
In place of Croydon team members, Carers First has been holding a series of meticulously stage-managed “co-production” sessions with clients since the end of April.
These meetings are typically conducted by executives from their Kent offices. One participant said, “There are still no clear plans for their service.” “What a waste of a “smooth transition.”
We reached out to Carers First, Mayor Perry, and the propaganda bunker of Croydon Council for their thoughts on the layoffs. They couldn’t bring themselves to answer.
What alternative services will be available for carers after the centre closes in Croydon?
In order to determine their needs and receive individualized help, such as respite care choices and direct funding to arrange alternative care, carers can schedule evaluations through Croydon Council’s social care department.
Short-term residential or nursing care for the person being cared for, day care facilities, night-sitting services (in which a carer visits the house), or day-sitting services to give caregivers breaks are some examples of alternative respite care.
Similar to programs offered by facilities like Edinburgh’s Eric Liddell Centre, certain charities and voluntary organisations offer helpful support, guidance, and activities to carers and the people they look after. These activities include online health and social activities, wellbeing calls, and meal delivery.
Caregivers are urged to ask friends or relatives for assistance with everyday tasks like housework or shopping.