Staff whose jobs have been “deleted” by a care company have been left “demoralised and undervalued”.

Essex Cares, set up by Essex County Council in 2009, announced it would be undergoing a reorganisation to keep up with the social care market.

The company, in charge of care centres in Turnpike Place, Braintree, and Newland Street, Witham, said it had offered voluntary redundancy to staff but would not discuss job cuts.

One of the 60 people employed at the two centres, who wished to remain anonymous, said a large number of staff had opted to leave after being told their jobs would drastically change.

They said: "A very large number of staff were told towards the end of last year that their jobs have been ‘deleted’.

"The new job profiles that we have been invited to apply for are so far removed from what we currently
do.

"The new roles include shift work which could be could start at 7am or finish at 11pm, include weekend work, core hours being based in Chelmsford and out of hours in possibly Harlow or Basildon.

"Staff are feeling demoralised and under-valued and this is only phase one."

A spokesman for Essex Cares said: "We recognise that any change can be unsettling for staff and are providing support throughout the process.

"We remain confident that the changes will mean larger numbers of frontline staff working at the heart of the community and an even better experience for our many customers."