SOMERSET Council Children Service department’s workforce could be reduced as the authority continues its restructure in response to the financial emergency.
The council is trying to save £30-£40 million by April 2025 to contribute to balancing the budget for 2025/26.
A spokesperson for the council said that “while the size of the workforce will reduce, we will continue to protect and provide essential services”.
The council is now consulting with trade unions and staff before the final decisions.
The spokesperson said: “In response to the financial emergency, we previously agreed to a top-to-bottom restructure of the whole council to save £30-£40m by April 2025 to contribute to balancing the budget for 2025/26, in addition to significant savings already made.
“We are now consulting with trade unions and staff before any final decisions are made.
“While the size of the workforce will reduce, we will continue to protect and provide essential services for our residents, communities and businesses, while continuing to lobby government for fairer funding.
“Restructuring will help to create future organisational and financial stability while providing clarity for staff on the future council structure and roles, and ensure we have an affordable staffing budget from April 2025.”
Children Services are split into four key areas, Children and Families, Commissioning and Performance, Inclusion, and Education, Partnership & Skills.
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