Birmingham Debt Advice Charity StepChange Announces Office Closure Proposal
A prominent debt advice charity based in Birmingham, which specialises in assisting the most vulnerable individuals, has revealed plans to close its city centre office. StepChange has confirmed that it intends to shut down its Birmingham location, situated at Somerset House on Temple Street, as well as its Cardiff branch.
Staff Consultation Underway for 49 Employees
A total of 49 members of staff from both the Birmingham and Cardiff offices are currently under collective consultation. This process involves discussions about potential redundancies or relocations to other StepChange centres across the UK.
Martin Clift, the chief operating officer at StepChange, stated, "On Monday we announced that we are proposing to close StepChange's Cardiff and Birmingham offices. Over the coming weeks we will be consulting with colleagues in both sites on these proposals."
Options for Affected Staff and Service Continuity
During the consultation period, staff will be offered options to continue their roles at one of the charity's other operational centres in Chester, Leeds, Newcastle, or Glasgow. If relocation is not feasible, redundancy will be considered.
Clift emphasised that the proposals are driven by a business decision to channel investment into four larger locations. He assured that the number of expert advisors available to help clients will not be reduced, and the expertise to support vulnerable clients will remain unaffected.
"The proposals have been made to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the charity alongside maintaining our unwavering focus on good long-term client outcomes," Clift added.
Concerns Over Service Accessibility
Despite assurances, concerns have been raised about the impact on service accessibility. A debt advocate trained to work with seriously ill or dying individuals warned that services might no longer be available in the same manner, potentially leaving those in greatest need without adequate support.
StepChange has prioritised treating colleagues with care and compassion during the consultation, while ensuring that clients, including those with additional vulnerabilities, continue to receive high-quality service.
