CAMPAIGNING parents have been invited to a meeting to discuss respite care cuts in Essex.

Users of Lavender House, in New Farm Road, Stanway, have been protesting after plans were announced by Essex County Council to scale back the centre's services.

One of two flats at the premises was closed earlier this year, leaving one property, or four beds, to cater for 33 families in the area.

Parents were worried what the move meant for the future of the service, and that of a similar scheme, The Maples, Harlow, where services have also been scaled back.

More than 2,000 people signed a petition opposing the proposals and now a group of campaigners have been invited to a meeting of the council's people and families policy and scrutiny committee to discuss the move.

Lorraine Woodhouse's son Aiden, 13, has severe autism and developmental delay and spends four days a month at Lavender House.

She is attending the meeting along with fellow campaigner and petition creator Gary Knowles.

"The campaign had gone a little bit quiet but it has been a matter of waiting to see what happened with the petition.

"We are hoping the council want to hear from somebody who uses the service all the time to get the message across.

"We hope someone has listened and it is nice to be acknowledged with the invite.

"We feel positive the meeting can make a difference."

In 2014, Lavender House was saved from closure when “no other plans could be put in place” by the county council.

Mrs Woodhouse said parents were keen to press the continued importance of the service.

"I hope the meeting will make them look at social care for children in Essex more generally," she said.

"At the moment we are still worried about the future of the service and the possibility of it being scrapped.

"Unless something drastic changes I cannot see the service continuing forever."

Essex County Council says it costs between £1,000 and £1,200 a night to place children at Lavender House and considerably cheaper options are available.

Usage of the facility has also been declining since April 2015.

County Hall insists despite one flat being closed there is still enough capacity at the centre to meet demand.

A spokesperson for Essex County Council, said: “We welcome parents of children who receive over-night respite care at the Maples Centre and Lavender House to the People and Families Scrutiny Committee meeting this Thursday.

"The committee are due to consider a family petition in respect of recent operational changes at the respite homes.

"We recognise the complex and challenging role parents and carers of children with disabilities fulfil and it is important their voices continue to be heard.”