VULNERABLE young people could be put at risk if plans to remove social workers from a team dealing with children’s mental health is implemented, a union has warned.

UNISON has criticised a proposal to move staff out of the specialist team which helps families, children in care or with disabilities and young people who are at risk of suicide.

The plan will see five social workers currently working as part of the Children and Mental Health Service (CAMHS) moved into standard mainstream teams, as part of changes aimed at saving money.

Union members say removing social workers from the service, which also includes specialist nurses and psychiatrists as part of the Child and family Consultation Service, will seriously undermine its effectiveness.

A UNISON spokesman said: “UNISON believes that the CAMHS Service provides a vital and unique social work service to the most vulnerable children who suffer from mental health and other emotional problems.

“Closing down this social work service will impact negatively on young people who have such problems and their families.”

The Guardian is awaiting a response from the council.