Colin Slasberg of Campaign for Real Care says a recent case in the borough was no exception

Barnet Council's Colindale offices — Barnet Council’s Colindale Offices

The question Barnet Post readers may feel they need to ask is whether the case of Alan Stroud’s very poor care [reported here] was a sad exception to the norm, or whether all that is exceptional is the sheer dogged determination of his grandson to expose it.

Of one thing readers can be certain. If they had asked that question of Cllr Barry Rawlings on 5th May 2022, the day before he became leader of Barnet Council, he would have said Alan’s case was not exceptional. After two years of forensically examining how social care worked in Barnet, he had come to the conclusion the system routinely and systematically failed the people it served. The problem was not money. It was about the way officers operated. His manifesto promised the changes required so that the system always put the person at the centre.

But from the day of his election, for reasons he has never explained, he U-turned. Whereas before he was elected he was prepared to challenge officers, once with the power to bring about change, he fell into the line.

The way Barnet operates is not exceptional. As Cllr Rawlings was fully aware before he became leader, it operates the national template. The campaign to bring about change has now moved on to the national stage through the Campaign for Real Care. But the work in Barnet will not be forgotten, however much that may be to Cllr Rawlings’ discomfort. The learning will continue to inform the work to bring about the systemic changes that will mean no-one in the future will suffer the lack of care and respect at the end of a proud life of the kind Mr Stroud suffered.

Colin Slasberg

Campaign for Real Care

Cllr Rawlings’ response to the u-turn claims was published here.

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