Council Chief Executive thanks staff who will be working over Christmas and New Year

Council staff working over the festive period have been thanked in advance by the Chief Executive of Worcestershire County Council.

Whilst most of us will be enjoying time off and celebrating the festivities with our friends and family, there are some key, frontline staff who will be working over Christmas and New Year.

This includes children and adult social workers, highways teams and some back-office workers.

Chief Executive Paul Robinson said: "The past 12 months has been another challenging period for us all where we've been faced with adversity.

"I look back on the year and I am incredibly proud of everything we've been able to deliver for the residents of Worcestershire.
"And whilst the lucky ones will get to have some well deserved time off to enjoy the festive season, there are some staff who will be working shifts over Christmas and New Year.

"This includes social workers, our highways teams and also some back office staff. These people are making a big difference so I would like to offer my personal thanks to them all."

In Worcestershire, hundreds of social workers and social care staff will continue to make calls and ensure those who are vulnerable continue to get the care and support they need.

Social work teams, plus safeguarding, mental health, young adults and learning disability urgent care, not to mention the back-office staff will all be available to offer urgent help and assistance to those who need it over the Christmas period.

Highways staff will also be working on maintenance issues on the roads and on standby to head out should the weather turn colder.

The Local Outbreak Response Team (LORT) will be on hand over the festive period to assist with any Covid cases and outbreaks in the county. The LORT has been there to support care homes, settings for vulnerable people, children's social care settings, schools and businesses across Worcestershire in the past 18 months to help prevent and manage any Covid outbreaks.

The county's Here2Help service is still available for residents to access over the Christmas period. Here2Help's opening hours will remain as Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm and Friday 9am to 4.30pm. The service is closed over weekends and Bank Holidays – Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.