CRITICAL staff who provide vital support services for families are being axed in a "shameful" wave of cost-cutting redundancies, it has been claimed.

It is believed five members of staff who run baby, toddler and children groups across Harwich and Mistley are being made redundant by Barnardo's.

It comes after Essex County Council awarded Virgin Care, in partnership with Barnardo's, the seven-year contract to run family services across the country.

They took over in April.

Harwich councillor Ivan Henderson, who raised concerns over the future of children's services at the time, has hit out at the job cuts.

He said he is "shocked but not surprised" as North Essex had a 33 per cent reduction in the children’s health budget.

"We had the budget cut, so now we are seeing the result," he added.

"It was always going to mean cuts in services rather than improving services.

"Its really concerning.

"I've said over and over again, early intervention is the most important thing this government and councils can do.

"If they don't get it right we can see problems further down the line with health and crime and education.

"This support is vital and in Harwich we do have some really vulnerable people who need that support.

"And it's not just vulnerable people, it's all parents. It can be quite scary and you need that advice and support."

Virgin Care and Barnardo's jointly took on the family services contract in April.

It includes health, wellbeing and family support services from pre-birth to the age of 19 and includes the combination of existing services like the healthy child programme, healthy schools, family nurse partnership and children’s centres.

It has also been revealed the Parkeston Stay and Play Wednesday group will be run by Homestart.

A Barnardo’s spokesman said: "We are still finalising the staffing changes needed to ensure we can deliver a fully integrated child and family wellbeing service across health and social care to families across Essex.

"Families can feel reassured that the Parkeston Stay and Play group will continue with the same sessions.

"It will be run jointly by Barnardo’s and Homestart who are one of the key partners of Virgin Care and Barnardo’s in the delivery of this service.”