Twelve youth workers are facing redundancy after the charity they work for had its funding cancelled - only months after a staff member was sacked for "breaching the code of conduct"
Young Addaction Halton’s contract with Halton Borough Council will end on July 31 and not be renewed after what the organisation said was 12 years of work helping 1,600 young people in Runcorn and Widnes.
The local authority told the ECHO i t served the charity its notice on April 30 and the contract ending was not connected to the investigation regarding a staff member.
A Halton Council spokeswoman said youth services are being brought in house alongside existing work with young people.
Young Addaction Halton, which runs services such as youth clubs at Grangeway Community Centre in Runcorn and CRMZ in Widnes, was part of the national Addaction charity, which rebranded this year as We Are With You (WAWY).
It supports people with issues such as mental health, alcohol and drugs and in steering at-risk groups away from harm.
Speaking to the ECHO, a person who said they worked for the charity, said a now-former senior staff member was sacked earlier this year after evidence of financial impropriety surfaced in January.
A We Are With You spokesman confirmed that a former Young Addaction Halton staff member was removed from post after an investigation last year found they had breached the charity’s code of conduct.
He would not comment further, so "as not to prejudice any future legal proceedings".
The charity said redundancies are "likely" among its 12 Halton staff, although the exact number is unknown at this stage.
With regards to the impropriety claims, the spokesman said: "Following a thorough internal investigation last year, a former member of staff’s behaviour and actions were found to be in breach of our code of conduct and organisational policies.
"Appropriate action was taken and the staff member no longer works for us.”
Discussing the end of the contract, he said: "We are proud of our work in Halton.
"Over the past 12 years our staff have supported more than 1,600 young people in the local area, making a positive difference to families across the region.
"The contracts Halton Borough Council awarded us to deliver young people’s services were due to end earlier this year.
"Due to the uncertainty of coronavirus, our contracts were extended for a short period of time until July 31.
"During this time, the council has taken the decision to change the way it manages young people’s support in the area.
"From August 1 young people’s services in Halton will be managed by Halton Borough Council.
"We have thoroughly enjoyed working with the young people and their families in Halton and we wish the council well in supporting young people in the area in the future."
The council has issued an assurance that youth services will continue.
The council spokeswoman said: “WAWY were always aware when the contract was signed back in 2015 that it could only last until 2020 at the latest.
“We have taken the opportunity to consider how we provide youth support in Halton in the future:
“From August 1, 2020, Halton Borough Council’s early help and intervention team will provide dedicated support to young people in a holistic family way – known as the youth support and treatment service.
“Over the next few months we will be working in partnership with young people and partners to develop an integrated youth offer.
“This service currently includes Duke of Edinburgh, Mayor Award and youth centre provision.
“Any work on developing a new service will need to recognise the financial challenges we face, the changing service needs and current and future landscape due to Covid-19.
“A range of activities will take place over summer for children and young people, funded from a successful holiday activities grant.”
UPDATE, 3.20pm: Cheshire Constabulary has confirmed it is investigating allegations of fraud.
A force spokesman said: "Officers from Cheshire police have received allegations of fraud connected to a charity based at Grangeway Community Centre in Runcorn.
"The investigation is its early stages and no arrests have been made at this time."
