Support workers protest over job cuts at housing association

A protester outside First Steps home show in Westminster. Photograph: Priscilla Turenne

Tenant support workers protested on Saturday over redundancies announced by housing association giant Family Mosaic.

Three staff members who support tenants with learning difficulties in residences across Hackney are set to lose their jobs next month. The support workers’ homes are attached to their employment, meaning they also face losing their homes.

Protesters staged a demonstration outside First Steps Homes Show in Westminster on Saturday, where Family Mosaic was exhibiting.

Family Mosaic said that “a small number of staff” are affected by the redundancies, necessary because of “significant savings” in Hackney Council’s adult social care budget.

The housing provider also said that the staff accommodation was needed to address the shortage of self-contained housing for the residents.

A spokesperson said: “Local authorities and providers are facing significant financial pressure and it is no longer possible for us to continue offering free rented accommodation in exchange for a small number of support hours.”

But campaigners claim that the housing association has funds “in reserves” which they should be using to “find a better outcome” for staff and service users.

There is also concern that vulnerable residents will suffer if they lose the regular face-to-face contact which residential support workers provide.

Heather Kennedy from housing campaign group Digs said: “It’s sad to see such a large housing association abandon its integrity and concern for the well-being of its service users and staff.

“Family Mosaic claim to be dedicated to their customers. They claim to have the ‘courage to do the right thing’. They need to remind themselves of such values and call off these evictions immediately.

“They need to get round the table with their staff and try and figure out a solution that benefits their clients instead of just the bottom line of their balance sheet.”

Adam Lambert, Regional Officer for Unite union said: “We would have hoped Family Mosaic would take more care to examine alternatives before booting people out in this current economic climate.”

Hackney Council said the welfare of the residents requiring social care was the “top priority”.

A council spokesperson said: “While we recognise the need for the council and providers to adapt in response to complex financial challenges, the welfare of our residents is our top priority.”

“We are liaising closely with Mosaic to ensure its proposed changes will still provide the high quality of service we demand.”