DISTRAUGHT parents have spoken of their despair after funding for care of their disabled children was withdrawn.

Essex County Council paid for the youngsters to have one-to-one care at Mistley Kids Club once a week during the school holidays.

The cost of the provision was about £100 per child per session.

But now the funding has been cut - leaving parents pleading for the council to reconsider.

Charlotte Foxley's son, Charlie, who is eight, has been diagnosed with global development delay and needs constant attention.

 

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Charlotte, who lives in Layer Breton, said: "As part of our respite package, we were allocated one day a week in the school holidays when Charlie goes to the kids club.

"But I just received a voicemail from his social worker saying the funding had been stopped.

"I was physically sick from the stress of it.

"Caring for Charlie is all consuming. The one day of respite care a week in the holidays meant we just had a bit of normality and allowed me to give my attention to my other son, Freddie, who is three.

"At the kids club, Charlie, got the attention he needed and we had the peace of mind he was being cared for.

"We can't just send Charlie anywhere. He needs special care. This is our lifeline."

Julie Everest has three children who have been diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum.

Joe, 15, has Aspergers syndrome while Lilith, seven, has ADHD and high functioning autism.

Johnnie, 11, has Apert Syndrome, a rare condition which affects just one in 200,000 and his developmental delay means he cannot talk, read or write or cut up food.

Julie, of Trafalgar Road, Lexden, said all three children go to the kids club with Johnnie's one-to-one care being funded.

Julie, who works as a sales manager, said: “We rely on the kids club. I don't trust many people to look after my disabled son properly.

“Mistley Kids Club is the only childcare provider which allows siblings to also attend the same club and it means children in families can stay together.

“We are devastated about the funding cut.

“We are a hardworking family who try to help ourselves and I use it in order to go to work to keep a roof over our heads.

"Now this funding has been cut, I won't be able to afford childcare. This will probably lead to losing my job. No matter what we do, we can't seem to win.”

Helen Byford, who lives in Braiswick, Colchester, also pleaded to the council to reconsider.

Her two sons, George, nine, and Archie, eight, both have autism and learning difficulties and need one-to-one care.

Helen said: “It seems so unfair. It is the only thing the boys do which is not purely special needs and the interactions you witness between the neuro-typical children and the special needs children is heart warming.”

Rosemary Smith, who is chairwoman of Mistley Kids Club, said about 30 children using the club would be hit by the funding cut.

She said: “I am angry as it is affecting the most vulnerable and helpless and it is not just the children, it is their families too.

“I want the council to give the funding back.”

Essex county councillor Dick Madden, who is the cabinet member for adults and children, said: “I understand how worried and concerned parents are about the changes to our support of the holiday scheme at Mistley Kids' Club.

“I want parents to be able to plan for future school holidays with confidence respite care will be there for them.

"I want to assure parents we will be seeking to resolve these issues as quickly as possible.”