Wandsworth Council has voted to close its in-house reablement service, Keep Independent Through Enablement (KITE), resulting in the loss of all affected staff jobs. The decision, made at a cabinet meeting on Monday night (October 12), will see the service fully outsourced to commissioned providers, who already handle roughly 80 per cent of such services in the borough. The council expects this move to save approximately £1.2 million a year, while aiming to improve service reliability and consistency.
Staff and union respond to outsourcing plans
Agnes, a KITE worker and GMB union representative, addressed the council, urging them to consider transferring staff to other teams instead of cutting their jobs. She highlighted the team's dedication, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, when they were the only in-house social services team providing frontline care in residents' homes. Agnes noted the personal sacrifice made by her colleague, saying, "One of our colleagues lost their husband because she took the Covid home." She also pointed out the timing of the decision, with council tax increasing by almost 100 per cent, stating, "It appears the council has picked on this team to lose our jobs in time where the cost of living is extremely high."
A GMB union official criticised the council for failing to justify the cuts, warning of potential strike action across the council if the proposals proceed. He said, "We will fight the cuts and we invite the leader of the council to meet with us to discuss if there are alternatives for it. If we can’t have those discussions, then we will be looking at industrial action across the council to resist this programme of cuts because all of our members matter, they deliver a service to the residents of Wandsworth, and they deserve better than a pink slip at the end of the day."
Council defends decision, cites cost savings
Conservative council leader Robert Morritt promised to meet with GMB and KITE staff to discuss the plans. Councillor Daniel Ghossain, cabinet member for health, defended the decision, stating it was not taken lightly. He acknowledged the team's hard work, saying, "Some of our most hardworking, most valued members of staff, who have done a fantastic job in really, really testing circumstances." Ghossain explained that the plans originated under Labour administration and aim to provide the best, most cost-effective care for residents.
A council officer's report indicated that commissioned providers offer similar quality to KITE at a much lower cost, with an hourly rate of around £25 compared to KITE's £148. These providers are all rated 'good' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Ghossain added, "This is a decision that’s been come to over a number of years in order to determine what’s the best way to deliver cost-effective care to residents and the best quality service to residents." He also acknowledged the human impact, stating, "We’re very aware of the human cost and we’re offering a very comprehensive support package to people like Agnes and her colleagues."
Next steps and potential industrial action
The GMB official reiterated the threat of a strike ballot if the council does not change course, criticising the choice of workers as "some of the most loyal and yet some of the most vulnerable and exposed workers to losing their jobs in the current job market." The cabinet ultimately agreed to close KITE and transition to a fully commissioned model for reablement services. The council will now consult with affected staff and trade unions, aiming to implement the new model by April.
