Harrow Council has been accused of abandoning vulnerable families by slashing a third off its vulnerable young people services budget.

At a cabinet meeting last month, Labour councillors voted through a restructuring of the council’s Early Intervention Services (EIS) with the aim of saving nearly £700,000, reducing the service budget from £2.5m to £1.8m.

The service currently helps the most vulnerable young people in the borough, including those who are leaving care or seeking asylum.

As a result of the changes, due to come into effect in October, 27 roles will be affected. Some 12 existing full-time posts could potentially be affected, with 15 already vacant.

The decision to cut frontline services comes within a week of senior adult social care officers being awarded substantial pay rises. According to the Harrow branch of trade union Unison, the council’s director of social services received a £6,000 raise while the head of services in adult care was handed a whopping £12,000 pay hike.

In an open letter, Unison claims council boss salaries have surged by 21 per cent last year despite workers’ salaries struggling to outstrip the country’s 1.5 per cent rate of inflation.

“It’s been a shameful seven-day period in the history of Harrow Council,” said a branch spokesperson.

“There’s going to be a big impact on jobs. People are losing their jobs but not at a senior level.

“We’re not happy with the consultation process – it’s a sham, a redundant exercise, because the redundancies have been pre-ordained.”

The union and opposition councillors warned the new structure will leave vulnerable and troubled families without support, leading to increased pressure on social workers and the possibility of more children being taken into care.

Conservatives have called for the Labour administration to “rethink its priorities”.

Conservative group leader Cllr Susan Hall said: “These cuts to children’s services are worrying. Short term savings often lead to higher costs in the future.

“To make real savings, the council should be reducing the cost of senior management and consultant fees. Instead it would appear they are increasing.

“Our children’s services staff do fantastic work but this was not reflected in the report brought to cabinet last month.

“The EIS team make real differences to the lives of children and young people every day. I am saddened that the Labour administration does not recognise this.”

Provision for after school clubs will be dropped by the EIS and gradually phased back to schools.

Council spokesperson Masooma Sarwar said: “No decisions have been made or finalised. Consultation with staff is ongoing and these are just some of the options we are looking at.

“We will always make sure that staff are involved in decision making and residents continue to receive value for money.”