Reablement care workers in Gloucestershire have voted to strike in response to plans to transfer their roles from Gloucestershire County Council to privately owned providers. These workers play a crucial role in assisting residents to leave hospital and continue living independently at home.
The proposed transfer, announced last month by the Liberal Democrat-led council, aims to strengthen community support by appointing local specialist providers Retain Healthcare, Mega Resources Nursing and Care, and La Vie En Rose to deliver the service from September 2026.
However, the union UNISON has raised concerns that the move may negatively impact staff conditions, risk losing experienced employees, and disrupt the continuity of care for vulnerable residents. In light of these worries, the reablement workers have overwhelmingly supported industrial action scheduled for next week.
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Opposition councillors have voiced their apprehensions too and agreed to convene a special scrutiny meeting to review the transfer plans more thoroughly.
UNISON has urged the council to pause the transfer and engage in meaningful discussions with the workforce. Tim Roberts, UNISON South West regional secretary, emphasised the pride workers take in their service and expressed that staff believe the proposals do not serve the best interests of either employees or residents. He added that the strike ballot reflects the strong feelings within the workforce and stressed that the council still has the opportunity to reconsider its position to avoid disruption by collaborating with employees and the union.
In response, Gloucestershire County Council and Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust affirmed they have established robust contingency plans to ensure that the care provided to residents remains uninterrupted during any industrial action. They clarified that although strike notices have been given for the period from 17 to 31 August, the industrial action will not be continuous for two weeks and may involve specific days or shifts.
In a joint statement, the council and NHS Foundation Trust expressed respect for the staff’s right to take industrial action while emphasising their shared priority of delivering safe and effective care to those receiving reablement support. They highlighted the vital role of reablement in helping individuals regain confidence, rebuild daily living skills, and maintain independence at home.
The statement also reaffirmed the council’s commitment to providing a sustainable community reablement service and valued the dedication and professionalism of staff. They pledged to continue constructive engagement with employees and trade unions throughout the process to focus on achieving the best outcomes for Gloucestershire residents.
The new community reablement service will remain under the leadership of Gloucestershire County Council and be delivered in partnership with specialist providers from September 2026. The initiative aims to extend timely support to more residents, help them recover after illness or hospital stays, maintain their independence, and reduce the need for ongoing care or avoidable hospital and residential admissions.