SCORES of voluntary groups in Edinburgh that provide vital services to vulnerable residents are fearful of being replaced by the private sector.
Charities have warned councillors that users are facing years of anxiety and worry about what will happen to them as a result.
The city council spends around £120 million each year on social care and housing support services, provided by a mixture
of 650 voluntary and private organisations.
But the council plans to advertise more of its contracts on the open market, with EU rules requiring it to show openness and transparency in awarding contracts. Voluntary groups believe they will lose out to private profit-making companies.
The Learning Disability Alliance Scotland today said many vulnerable residents have received care from the same volunteers for years. Play schemes for disabled children, services for elderly people in sheltered housing, care homes for residents with learning difficulties, and outreach programmes for people with mental health problems could be put out to tender.
Council leaders today said they aim to "get the best value for money" for city taxpayers. But Ian Hood from the Learning Disability Alliance said: "We think the drive for competitive tendering for care of the most vulnerable people is wrong.
"There is no consultation with people before the process starts and there is little effort to work out what the effects on vulnerable people will be. Their lives are put out to tender in the same way that local authorities put out contracts to supply light bulbs."
The council receives around £40m from the Scottish Government, which mainly goes towards carers, wardens and support services for elderly people in sheltered housing. The contracts to provide this service are likely to be the first put out to tender.
Jimmy McIntosh, chairman of Partners in Advocacy which speaks up for people with learning disabilities, said: "People with learning disabilities rely on voluntary organisations to help them make friends and get out and about in the community. When you start bringing in companies that make a profit, everybody worries that they might lose the little extra things that make a difference."
Sheila Finlayson, 59, from Chapel Court in Niddrie, uses services provided by the Thistle Foundation, which specialises in helping disabled people lead full and active lives.
"They have helped to make my life much better," she said. "I don't want to change. I really don't."
Housing and social care leader Paul Edie said: "As a council we aim to provide the best possible services for the people of Edinburgh. We also aim to get the best value for money so we can maximise the services we offer.
"There is a constant need to balance the interests of our current service users with the scant resources available.
"The council purchases approximately £120m of social care services from external providers per year and a percentage of these will be put out to tender. The council has to award all contracts in an open and transparent manner.
"It is important to note that the tenders are assessed on the basis of 70 per cent quality and 30 per cent price."
