Just spotted this story on the BBC - reporting that Essex County Council has announced plans to sell off its children's homes to private companies or voluntary organisations:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-11925233
Hmmmm, hard to know what the impact of this will be. Does anyone have any views?
Devastating for the children and young people involved, especially if the current staff are not taken up (not convinced on TUPE, too many empoyers discard the former public employees as soon as possible). I'm not sure the residents or staff are at the top of the councils priorities.
Another "kicker" is that Essex is one of the pilot projects for Continental social pedagogical practices in English RCC. I understand they are seeing signs of success, in the residents, following implementation. It will do nothing for the children and young people if this is not taken up by the new management. Another wasted 3-years for them!
Social enterprise, anyone?