There’s hope there’ll be a smooth transfer when child-care provider Manx Family Services hands over its government work to St Christopher’s Fellowship in around a month’s time.

It was announced in August that MFS would lose its contractual arrangements with Government.

The organisation provided both residential and outreach care and had been employed since 1999.

Bernard Moffatt, of the Transport and General Workers Union, says he was contacted by MFS management to say there could be a difficulty over payment of staff.

He believes a smooth transition is vital:

A media statement has been issued by interim Director of Social Services, Peter Smallridge.

It says the department is working with them to terminate the contract in a way that will minimise the disruption to families, children and young people and the staff currently employed.

It adds the department has informed MFS that payment under the contract will end on October the 31st with payments one month in advance, which ensures funding is available until November the 30th.

The statement concludes the department, as already stated, will seek to ensure the continued employment for the staff by a new service provider.