SEETHING social workers in Sandwell are set to be the first in Britain to strike over a children’s services department being run by a trust.

Sandwell Council Unison members voted unanimously for a motion calling for an industrial action ballot should any plans for a trust be announced.

In December education minister Nicky Morgan appointed Eleanor Brazil as commissioner of Sandwell’s children’s services department after years of poor reports and inspections.

Ms Brazil presided over Doncaster Council’s children’s services transition to a trust and social workers are worried the same will happen in Sandwell.

Sandwell Unison joint secretary Tony Barnsley said: “This will be the first time social workers have gone on strike over a children’s trust in the country.

“The private sector has no track record that it can run children’s social care any better.

“Our members work extremely hard in children’s social care, often working more than their contracted hours in order to protect vulnerable children.”

He added: “Despite this effort, poor management and leadership over the years has led to poor Ofsted judgements.”

Doncaster Unison branch secretary Jim Board spoke to Sandwell Unison members before its vote and warned of dire consequences of becoming a trust.

Both Sandwell and Doncaster councils employed private company Impower at the cost of millions to help improve standards to no avail.

Mr Barnsley added: “Faced with all the uncertainties of being privatised to a new employer, the meeting voted unanimously for the motion calling for an industrial action ballot should any plans for a trust be announced.

“Doncaster, which had a children’s trust thrust upon it, was recently rated inadequate by Ofsted.”

Eleanor Brazil, commissioner for children’s services in Sandwell, said: “My role as commissioner in Sandwell is to help drive forward improvements and report my findings to the minister by the end of March.

“At this stage it isn’t known whether a trust will be the right future option to deliver improvements in Sandwell.”

Councillor Simon Hackett, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “We are working hard to make improvements and welcome the appointment of a commissioner who will help us to achieve this.

“But above all our number one priority is to look after children and young people in Sandwell.”