A LEADING county councillor has promised to try to find a solution after funding for disabled children to attend Mistley Kids Club was withdrawn.

Parents of 35 children with learning difficulties were left in despair after they were told Essex County Council has scrapped funding for one-to-one care.

The cost was about £100 per child per session and families were allowed one day a week during the school holidays - a session described as a lifeline.

Dick Madden, councillor responsible for adults and children, said the funding for the support had come from the Government's Aiming High programme, but that had stopped in 2012.

Mr Madden said the council had tried to find the £40,000 a year needed, but the pressure on its budgets meant it could no longer afford the service.

Mr Madden said he appreciated the importance of respite care and he said he was searching for alternative solutions to help the families in need.

He said: "I know from the letters I have received of the emotion involved and the critical importance of respite care.

"I have great respect for these families who display their love for their children to the extreme.

"I am anxious to find alternative arrangements so the situation can be resolved."

Parents were still sceptical and said any alternative will still need to be funded.

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

Charlotte, of Layer Breton, was sent a list of six alternative venues.

 

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She said: "The first was Stepping Stones in Colchester. Charlie has been on the waiting list there for four years already and we have been told he probably won't get in.

"The next were Little Pals and Willow Tree nurseries in Clacton and they said they would need one-to-one funding.

"The Ark Centre in Harwich has not come back to me and InterAct in Chelmsford is not appropriate.

"The last one was Parc (Essex) Discovery Centre in Braintree and that is already over subscribed.

"It is all very well giving us a list but the bottom line is without the funding it is not going to happen.

"It is crucial to us and other families to get this care. I hope Mr Madden is true to his word and keeps trying to find funding."