Council under fire over proposals to close 30 day care centres in Lincolnshire

A former social services boss has warned it could be “impossible” to bring back council care for the elderly and disabled if it is axed.

Opposition is mounting to Lincolnshire County Council proposals to close 30 day care centres, two short break facilities and reduce supported living services.

The authority is reviewing how it spends £22.1 million a year on caring for more than 1,000 elderly and disabled people.

And staff past and present fear the quality of the services offered to some of Lincolnshire’s most vulnerable residents could be jeopardised by any changes.

The private sector and voluntary groups will be expected to provide a replacement.

David Watson, former county council assistant director of social services and deputy to the director, said there was nothing new about the dilemma of how to help people who cannot care for themselves.

But the Lincoln resident said it is a “serious mistake” for the council to consider relinquishing its responsibilities by closing services.

Mr Watson, who worked at the authority from 1983 until his retirement in 1987, told the Echo: “In recent years, the county council has adopted the policy of allowing or encouraging the voluntary or private sectors to provide residential and other services, with or without financial support.

“Now it appears to be planning to divest itself of the remaining care homes and day centres. I believe that this is a serious mistake where the interests of vulnerable people are concerned.

“The complexity of finding other reliable and professionally run care and paying for it is beyond the capabilities of more and more people, especially the elderly demented.

“No-one has to provide care for these adults, not even relatives, and other provision is always unpredictable.”

Mr Watson, who also held posts ranging from welfare assistant to assistant director at six other local authorities, said the standards of care in the public sector had to be “strictly enforced”.

He said this ensured people were looked after by suitable staff in good conditions by an organisation that is accountable.

He said: “As for the financial aspect, I cannot believe that the non-profit making public sector is more expensive to operate than the private or voluntary sectors if the same standards of care are applied.

“I suspect members of the public will probably not notice much of a change until they are personally affected but sooner rather than later they will realise what has happened and the county council will have a lot answer for.

“But it will be difficult, if not impossible, to reinstate services, premises and staff once lost.”

The council has held meetings with staff affected by the proposals, with 285 full-time equivalent posts at risk.

Authority officials, in line with Government proposals, are attempting to give people who require care their own personal allowance.

They say providing people with the choice of how to spend their cash has seen attendances drop at day centres, making its services less cost-effective.

But Richard Banks, Lincolnshire Unison steward, said it was clear the public wanted “care not profit”.

He said: “What happens when there is no longer any profit in running these services? At least at the moment you have something to fall back on.”

Richard Collins, the county council’s head of strategic development for adult social care, said: “We appreciate that people will have concerns about changes to their support.

“However, these are only proposals at the moment.

Services will not close until alternatives are put in place.”

Mr Collins said more than 50 events were scheduled as part of the consultation, which closes on Monday, January 9.