The interim director of Social Services has admitted mistakes have been made in the handling of the transfer of staff to a new employer, when social services withdraws its Manx Family Services childcare contract.

Peter Smallridge says he's now met with Bernard Moffatt from the TGWU and adds that whilst the DHSS only works as a broker in negotiations between the two firms, it has always been their intention to try and ensure that staff were offered the same protection afforded in the UK in similar instances.

This would basically mean that the terms of conditions of service under the current employer would be adopted by any new employer.

He says MFS and the new company taking over the work on behalf of the DHSS want this to happen and he expects most staff to be able to transfer

Mr Smallridge has also apologised for the lack of communication between the DHSS and MFS staff: