Worker faces sack over website gripes

A social worker at Swindon Council may be sacked after setting up a
website for staff to “whistle-blow” on the poor-performing local
authority.

Deborah Rees was suspended from her job as planning officer for
adults with learning difficulties on 8 August, six days after her
website was launched.

The site details her grievances against senior managers and her
four-year battle to try to persuade the council to acknowledge
them.

“There is a total lack of leadership within the council, a blame
culture and a system of jobs for the boys,” she said.

The council is now considering whether to dismiss her.

Jerry Oliver, acting director of Swindon social services, said Rees
had breached the council’s trust.

Swindon received a zero star rating in the first round of this
year’s review by the Social Services Inspectorate.