SOCIAL workers have notified their bosses they plan to formally ballot for strike action.

The Unison union told West Dunbartonshire Council and the health and social care partnership (HSCP) they would ask staff of the children and families unit whether they supported a strike or action short of a strike.

They recently held a consultative ballot where they voted 92.3 per cent for strike action over concerns their working practices are unsafe and putting vulnerable residents at risk. The turnout was 87.8 per cent.

Staff have been warning for months about the effect of closing their Alexandria base and merging two social work teams into Clydebank's Aurora House. There is also a severe staff shortage.

Council bosses have insisted they are recruiting replacement staff.

Unison regional organiser Simon Macfarlane said the dispute centred on excessive workloads, inappropriate working environments and health and safety issues.

He said: "There still remain more than 200 unallocated cases - that is unacceptable and exposes vulnerable children and families to risk and is a backdrop of constant worry to staff.

“Additional staff have not materialised, temporary staff have been let go recently, recruitment exercises have not filled all the vacancies. Despite constant highlighting of the inadequacies of current working environments there has been no meaningful response from management.”

Read more: West Dunbartonshire Council social workers consult on strike action

A spokeswoman for West Dunbartonshire Council said: "We are disappointed by this notice of strike, as we have continued to work closely with staff and trade unions to address their concerns since they were first raised.

"A number of actions have already been implemented including recruiting four new employees and using available agency staff to cover all outstanding vacancies until these posts are filled.

"Staff have been supported to work in additional locations across West Dunbartonshire, allowed to carry leave over until June and can receive payment for time off in lieu of more than 14 hours.

"We remain committed to working towards achieving a positive resolution for staff and the families in our community who need our support most."

Mr Macfarlane said Aurora House in Clydebank was "not working".

He said: "It means that staff working in the other end of the council are isolated and vulnerable. It is also unacceptable social work staff are expected to work in open office environments such as the council’s new headquarters in Church Street.

"They are often required to make sensitive phone calls and discuss serious issues in earshot of family members and neighbours of those concerned. This is adding to further stress in the workplace. West Dunbartonshire is not getting it right for any child let alone getting it right for every child."

Read more: West Dunbartonshire social workers fear 'child tragedy'

We recently revealed concerns have also been raised about a child left to sleep on a residential unit sofa for three months before the Care Inspectorate launched an investigation.

Mr Macfarlane added: "Despite powerful and disturbing evidence of the impact the current crisis is having on staff and the children and families they support, there has been little tangible improvement.

"We have done everything we can to make management and the administration realise things are in meltdown but they still demonstrate denial. Management still will not concede that current accommodation arrangements are an issue and are not appropriate for difficult and stressful contact meetings involving vulnerable children.

"It's time for management and the SNP administration to admit that they got it wrong with their accommodation strategy and that austerity cuts are doing tremendous damage.

"They must urgently get more staff in, including trying far harder to get agency staff in the interim. We also need a clear commitment to a fit-for-purpose children and families base in the Dumbarton end of the council.

“Our members are fighting for their safety, dignity and the services they provide. Management and the administration now need to do the same.”

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