SOCIAL workers’ jobs will go, day services for the elderly could disappear and charges could soon be made for those receiving adult social care in a raft of proposals being put forward by Thurrock Council.

These are just some of the ideas being discussed as the council looks to save £500,000 in the next year in its social care budget.

Proposed charges for care and cuts to day services will form part of a consultation set to start on August 1, but five social worker posts will definitely go as part of the plans, and weekend visits from the hospital social worker team will cease.

The proposals are set to be discussed at a council meeting tonight, where a report suggests £100,000 could be saved in the next year in the day service provision, with options including cutting the number of the six day centres, keeping them open but reducing hours, keeping the service but increasing charges and reviewing the number of staff.

Proposals are also being put forward that could see those receiving care having to pay for equipment that costs less than £50. A similar procedure is already inplace in authorities like Barking and Dagenham.

A council spokeswoman said it wouldn’t comment on the report before the consultation ended.