A bid to axe 22 child care jobs in Southend was lost at a vote last night.

Tory members of the social services committee defeated a motion to axe the 11 full-time and 11 part-time posts by one vote.

The issue will now go to full council on April 29 when another vote will be taken on whether the jobs, including nine assistant social workers, six nursery officers, a team manager and two social workers should go.

The cuts have been recommended by social services chiefs as part of a restructuring of child care services in the town. The aim is to give more help to children in care and those in need, some of whom, they say, have previously received a poor service.

Many parents have said they are concerned about the future of the Marigold Centre in Westcliff, the site of the majority of staff reductions.

The council's child protection investigation team is also to go, leading to worries that youngsters would be placed more at risk of abuse.

Councillor Verina Wilson, (Con, Shoebury) said: "I am the first to say vulnerable children in need must be looked after properly but it is wrong to do it at the expense of something that is working very well.

"I accept the proposals are being done for the best of reasons but I feel it is misguided and the most vulnerable people on the ground will suffer in the long term despite all our good intentions."

Social services director Jane Held added: "No child or family currently using the service will have it withdrawn unless a reassessment demonstrates the need for that service is no longer present, or that the child and family can cope independently."

If the jobs are axed Southend Council will save £205,00 in the 1999/2000 financial year. However, redundancy costs will amount to £300,000 in the same period.

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