Care jobs to be cut in Barnsley

JOBS in healthcare and social work are set to be slashed in Barnsley as part of multi-agency plans to cut a £5.5 million deficit in its budget.

The Joint Agency Group, formed between Barnsley Council and NHS Barnsley, says it is working to “modernise services” for health and social care clients – promoting people’s independence and giving them more control over the support they receive.

But the plans – which will make an estimated saving of £3.65 million – will inevitably see jobs cut.

The proposals, put before the cabinet of Barnsley Council, include the closure of Greenside House older persons’ care in Mapplewell next year – with the service they provide relocated to the independent sector. Facilities at the Highfield Grange home in Wombwell will also be reviewed in 2011/12.

The Learning Disability Service is also facing an overhaul – with the closure of one unit and the opening of a new centre in Wombwell.

The council’s Home Care Service is being re-modelled and re-branded as the Home Care Assessment and Re-ablement Team which will look after clients for six weeks – for example following an illness or hospital stay – offering support and assessment to allow them to regain daily living skills. Anyone who needs further care will be transferred to a council-approved private sector home or receive an individual budget to manage their own services.

There will be 115 jobs transferred to the HART service and options for redeployment will be also be supported by the creation of a Jobs Bureau service with local provider agencies. The measures have been formed in response to a 25 per cent cut in funding and the need to address a £5.5 million overspend in the current financial year.