Vulnerable children could be placed at risk if neighbouring local authorities merge their children services departments, the union Unison has warned.
Speaking after Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham, and Kensington and Chelsea confirmed they are to merge their children's services departments, Heather Wakefield, head of local government at Unison, said: "Having one director with overall responsibility for children's social and education services across the three councils is a big responsibility. Our fear is that it could undermine the effectiveness of child protection services."
A number of local authorities across the country are considering merging aspects of their children's services to cut costs.
