Help plea over bullying claims
GOVERNMENT officials are again being asked to intervene in an investigation into bullying allegations at East Dunbartonshire’s Health and Social Care Partnership social work.
Unison has written to health secretary Humza Yousaf and to other related government staff to ask for action.
Following an anonymous letter in 2019 making serious allegations about social work management at the council, the local authority commissioned a report.
It was finalised and published in December 2021 but the union claims it has yet to be shared with social work staff and that recommendations have not been implemented.
East Dunbartonshire Council, however, said in a statement that an extensive review found “no evidence of bullying or intimidation”.
According to a letter from the council’s chief executive, seen by the Glasgow Times, the investigation looked at allegations in the Children & Families, Addictions and Criminal Justice teams.
The union claims East Dunbartonshire Council and East Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership have failed to engage meaningfully with Unison on their own report which was titled: Allegations of poor management, culture and bullying within East Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership, Social Work Services; Overall Summary Report and
Recommendations.
The local authority said the report would be published but not until after next week’s local elections.
Simon Macfarlane, Unison regional organiser, said: “To date there has been no action plan from the council or HSCP to take forward their own recommendations, nor a meeting with Unison to discuss our response and members have no indication when or if their appeals will be heard.”
In response, chief executive of the council Gerry Cornes said: “The conclusion of the investigation is that there was no evidence of bullying or intimidation in our social work services.
“Additional work was identified as required in a small number of areas so that effective relationship building and communications are in place to ensure all employees feel supported and valued in the teams in which they work.
“It is the council’s intention to publish the outcome summary report after the local government elections.”
Mr Cornes added that the report will be shared with relevant employees first.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We have received the letter, and while these issues are a matter for councils to resolve with their staff, we will follow up with the council leadership and Unison to see if we can assist in resolving the issues.”