GMB, the union for care workers, has said vulnerable children have been ‘practically abandoned’ after a dysfunctional care provider was forced to close three homes after concerns were raised by inspectors.
The Priory Group won a multi-million pound contract to provide 40 beds in 5 homes for Birmingham City Council in 2016.
Since then 3 of the homes have closed and another is operating at reduced capacity.
Meanwhile GMB union members complain of a culture of harassment and bullying from managers.
Staff have been threatened with suspension unless they agree to changes to their terms, conditions, hours and sick pay arrangements.
Priory Group, who were fined £300,000 last year following the death of a 14-year-old child in their care [1], have repeatedly refused GMB attempts to help heal their divided workplace.
Dave Warwick, GMB Organiser, said:
“These children have been practically abandoned by those who were supposed to protect them.
“Management is trying to bully workers into signing new contracts and scapegoat their hard working staff when things go wrong.
“This is yet another example of privatised care homes utterly failing the needs of both the community and staff.”
