HUNDREDS of workers, parents and youngsters voiced their concerns over planned cuts to Bolton’s Children’s Services department at a town centre rally.

Campaigners collected more than 1,500 signatures against the Town Hall proposals for cuts of £12m over the next five years.

The equivalent of 37 full-time posts could go as part of the savings, which the council says it is making in consultation with trade unions.

The posts of education social workers — who deal with children who are at risk of truanting — could be scrapped completely.

Instead, the number of key workers will increase to work with families and children who are seen as being at risk.

Managers in youth service are also being targeted, where it is proposed to cut full-time equivalent post numbers by 11 to six.

The protest, held on Saturday in Victoria Square, was led by the Unison trade union, whose members urged the public to support their campaign.

Unison children’s services convener Andrea Egan said: “The council has only just started to consult with us.

“We don’t believe the plans will provide the same level of service to schools and to young people.”

Education social workers, youth workers and staff from the Connexions youth service waved placards and spoke to shoppers about the services that could be cut back.

One Connexions key worker said: “It is the wrong time to cut services which provide guidance and advice to young people to get them into work.”

Another protester said: “We are going to have less staff available to support young people when they need us the most. A lot of staff are very upset.”

The council has said the proposals are designed to stop young people falling into the “NEET” category — those not in education, employment or training.

A spokesman said a number of council teams currently overlapped and that the plans would save £400,000 a year.

Margaret Asquith, Bolton Council’s director of children’s services, said: “As well as efficiency savings, the review of Connexions and education social work teams aims to improve services for children and young people, to improve attendance and lower the number of young people who are not in employment, education or training.”

The proposals are subject to a period of consultation with staff, trade unions and councillors, which is due to end on February 9.

Unison is to hold a meeting with headteachers later this month, as part of its campaign.