Angus Council is sharpening the axe over staff in its adult care services following a jobs warning.
The local authority issued a statement on Thursday that declared “significantly fewer staff” will be needed in a “radical” redesign of care.
It vowed that no services will be affected, but stopped short of quoting the number of jobs which will go when staff and service users are told this week.
Liam Kerr, Scottish Conservative MSP for the North East Region, has warned that “the devil will be in the details” when this information is made public.
Private care providers now deliver 70 per cent of personal care services for adults living at home in Angus, following the introduction of Self Directed Support.
A council spokesman said: “As we continue to transition long-term personal care to private and third sector parties and with the improvements to the efficiency of the internal services, we will need significantly fewer staff.
“However, this staff group is highly valued and we believe that the new structure will not only provide a better service to the public, but will also better support them going forward in their careers as carers.
“We will also require a number of temporary posts to further support the service as the amount of personal care that we deliver continues to diminish.”
Changes will be delivered by the Angus Health and Social Care Partnership (AHSCP).
Hugh Robertson, chairman of the AHSCP’s Integrated Joint Board, said: “We have written to service users to reassure them that we are not stopping any services and it is only the internal reorganisation of the delivery that is changing.
“People in Angus will continue to receive the high-quality care and support that they need to help them to live safely and independently at home.”
Mr Kerr said the move appeared to confirm fears raised among staff at Angus Council in recent weeks.
He added: “This could not come at a worse time with Christmas approaching.
“In many ways this is a sign of the times, but I think that councillors, not to mention service users and their families, will need to be convinced that services will actually improve.
“We must be careful that the service does not suffer in a drive to save money.
“The health and social care partnership must ensure that there is a smooth transition and that the level of service is not diminished.”
