Liverpool City Council (LCC) have notified the Trust that we will no longer carry out statutory activity on their behalf in relation to Care Act 2014, specifically the assessment of care and support needs and commissioning of care, undertaken by Trust employed Liverpool Out Of Hospital Service (LOOHS) Social Work team in Community Care Division (CCD).
There has been no request to transfer staff under TUPE. It is important to note Sefton Local Authority have not advised of any intention to request we cease activity related to Care Act 2014 in relation to Longmoor House Sefton Patients.
The Trust has agreed and confirmed that as LCC activity is not commissioned and there is no legal duty to do this as it is a Local Authority responsibility. As a result, it has been necessary to consider steps to be taken to support the retraction of aspects of current social work activities aligned to LCC and remodel LOOHS social work.
Discussions will continue with your senior leadership team around options for the existing workforce and social work model to be delivered.
We appreciate the uncertainty this change brings which can lead to heightened anxieties for those involved. Our communications team has set up this dedicated section to keep you fully informed as you go through this process.
Factors that led to this decision:
Liverpool City Council (LCC) have notified the Trust that we will no longer carry out statutory activity on their behalf in relation to Care Act 2014, specifically the assessment of care and support needs and commissioning of care, undertaken by Trust employed Liverpool Out Of Hospital Service (LOOHS) Social Work team in Community Care Division (CCD).
It was therefore agreed that the Trust should take immediate action to prepare for the cessation of their service from 31st August 2025.
Trust will cease social work activity aligned to:
- Liverpool Bed Based
- RLUH Frailty Unit and Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC).
There will be reduced/remodelled activity aligned to:
- Liverpool ICRAS and Longmoor House
The remodelled social work offer will be based on a non-statutory social work case facilitation model with 2 key elements, a strengths-based assessment approach, identifying strengths and assets to achieve goals and a brokerage approach that focuses assessing needs, creating access to and navigating pathways and services in health, social care and voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sectors.
During the consultation period, staff will be able to request a one-to-one discussion via Susan Dowling to discuss any concerns you have or put suggestions forward for consideration.
Please note this is not compulsory, if this is not required, this will be taken as there are no concerns with what is being proposed.
One-to-one discussion is not an interview; aspirational interviews will take place separately. Staff have the right to have representation during the one-to-one and aspirational interviews, you can invite a staff side representative or ask a trusted colleague. It is your responsibility to make these arrangements.
If you have any questions or concerns, please Email communitysocialcareorgchange
All details of the consultation will be shared in this dedicated space and we will constantly review and update this page.
Individual one to one formal consultation meetings are being made available to everyone 'at risk'. This refers to someone who is at risk of redundancy because the role they are employed for is no longer required. the Trust will seek to redeploy colleagues who are declared ‘at risk’ to a reasonable suitable alternative post within the Trust.
The purpose of your one to one discussion is to raise any individual questions, capture any personal circumstances relevant to the proposed change and discuss any preference about redeployment opportunities and locations.
The line manager responsible for leading the individual consultation meetings will be accompanied by a HR representative, when deemed mutually necessary.
A staff side representative or a workplace colleague of your choice may also be present at the meeting, and it will be your responsibility to arrange for them to be present.
Where possible all meetings will be arranged face to face or over TEAMS, if required.
A one to one proforma consultation template has been developed to capture all relevant information to enable us to map out any individual circumstances e.g. flexible working patterns and any HR27 requirements.
For everything else, email communitysocialcareorgchange
Consultation with staff side will take place and representatives are welcome to attend collective / individual consultation meetings with staff.
A draft consultation / activity timeline has been produced and is detailed below. It will run for 30 days initially, however this can be extended as necessary to ensure all staff have sufficient opportunity to engage in the process.
TIMESCALES *NB All dates may be subject to change for various reasons.
Stage |
Lead |
Proposed date |
Organisational change - Consultation meeting – consultation commences.
|
Susan Dowling (CCD Social Work Lead) Stephen Cowling (Deputy Associate Director Social Work) Lindsay Foy (Associate Director Social Work) Michelle Fanning (Deputy Divisional Director Urgent Care) |
2 June 2025 |
Staff to consult with staff side and respond to organisational change proposal. Staff will be given opportunities to find out more about the roles in the structure via booking time with the relevant service leads, if required. |
LOOHS Social Workers Staff side Susan Dowling (CCD Social Work Lead) Nicola Peet (MCA Lead) |
W/C 9 June 2025 |
Posts will be added to TRAC. Staff will be asked to express an interest which requires them to complete a basic application form. |
Susan Dowling (CCD Social Work Lead)
|
W/C 16 June 2025 |
Organisational Change - Aspirational interviews. |
Susan Dowling (CCD Social Work Lead) Mark Hodge (MHCD Social Work Operational Lead) |
W/C 23 June 2025 |
Organisational change - Outcome aspirational interviews. |
Susan Dowling (CCD Social Work Lead) Mark Hodge (MHCD Social Work |
27 June 2025 |
Organisational change - Consultation ends. |
|
1 July 2025 |
Organisational change - Meeting at the end of the consultation period. |
Susan Dowling (CCD Social Work Lead) Lindsay Foy (Associate Director Social Work) Michelle Fanning (Deputy Divisional Director Urgent Care) |
2 July 2025 |
We appreciate the uncertainty this change process brings which can lead to heightened anxieties for those involved. There are a number of people who you can speak to should you need any support:
Management – Susan Dowling, Susan
or Mark Hodge, Mark
HR Business Partners - Joanne Lowe, joanne
Staff Support - 01925 664 010
Send all other queries or concerns to the generic mailbox communitysocialcareorgchange