We can only hope the Tories at County Hall do a better job at protecting vulnerable children when they sell off the children’s homes than they did when care homes for the elderly were sold off.
Despite assurances that past mistakes will not be repeated, what the administration at County Hall fails to recognise is private homes are run for profit.
The problems at Greenways were largely due to experienced staff leaving due to changes in terms and conditions of employment, and cuts in pay.
The cost of the placement, whether for adults or children, can only be reduced if the private provider can find savings and staff costs represents their biggest bill. The council is currently graded as inadequate in safeguarding children, cutting pay of staff is unlikely to lead to improvement!
Julie Young
County councillor
Mascot square
Colchester
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