Barnet Council has "side-stepped" government guidelines in its plans to privatise services for people with learning disabilities, union bosses claimed this week.

Three tenders are currently being considered by the council for partners as part of its modernisation programme for five residential care homes and five day centres for people with learning disabilities.

But the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) confirmed that a best value review recommended by the Government to establish who is best equipped to deliver services for local authorities was still incomplete.

John Burgess, social services convener for Unison's Barnet branch, said: "We believe that the handover is going to happen before any best value review of the service is complete.

"That means if they make a decision that Barnet Council would best spend money by handing it over to another organisation, they will have done that on what evidence?"

He added: "Under best value, they have to cost the in-house service, look at the cost of care staff and the service they provide and then compare and contrast that with other providers.

"They have not followed government procedure. They have side-stepped something. What we are saying is: Give us a chance to compete with these organisations and we will win on quality and cost'."

John Sullivan, whose daughter Susan attends the Broadfields Adult Day Centre in Springwood Crescent, Edgware, fears the service will be handed over to "people who haven't got the experience or the knowledge".

An SSI spokeswoman said its records showed the best value review for Barnet Council's learning disabilities services was still incomplete.

"Guidance says that best value reviews should be the principal means by which authorities consider new approaches to service delivery.

"It does not say it has to be done but it is recommended," she added.

A council spokesman said: "The service was subject to a best value review and the recommendation was to tender the service.

"We are aware that the SSI did express concerns that the consultation part of the best value review was incomplete."

June 25, 2002 15:30