The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Desperate parents of disabled children have launched a campaign to try and prevent a funding cut to after-school activities.
Lincolnshire County Council is reviewing its financial support.
For pupils at The Garth School in Spalding it means regular activities laid on by Action For Children – such as ten-pin bowling at AlleyCatz, and arts and craft and cookery sessions – are set to end in September.
Sarah Jane Russell, whose son Levi (9) attends the special school and suffers from several conditions, has started a petition calling on a rethink by the council.
She said: “I feel, as a parent, that our children have the right to have a social life as much as any other child does.
“It’s a chance for parents to have a break, for the children to enjoy activities and for them to interact with others.
“We are desperate to keep something going for the children. Apart from school, there will be nothing for them.”
Sarah, of Carrington Close, Spalding, says a lot of parents are upset by the move, but fears that many across the county will not make a stand.
“We have to fight for so much for children with special needs anyway. This is just another obstacle for us to get over,” she said.
Parents pay towards the activity sessions and many at The Garth School have indicated that they would be willing to contribute more to save the service.
The petition – entitled SOS (for Save Our Social Life) – is in several town businesses including Bennett’s Butchers, J Willson funeral directors and The Art of Ink.
Daran Bland, executive headteacher for The Spalding Special Schools’ Foundation, said: “I am very disappointed to hear that after-school and holiday club provision for children with the most complex special educational needs is being reduced and possibly removed.
“The children that access this type of provision have needs that require specialist input from trained and experienced staff.
“The current offer of after-school and holiday club provision across the county enables children with Autism and associated challenging behaviours and children with complex medical and physical conditions to experience a variety of fun and engaging activities in a safe and nurturing environment. Children without these more complex disabilities have access to a broad range of after school and holiday club activities.
“It feels very unfair that access to similar is being removed for the children who already find it challenging to participate in what others take for granted. That said, there are many organisations that do provide good quality and inclusive activities, however, they may not have the experience, resource and confidence to provide for the most complex youngsters.”
Meanwhile, Andrew McLean, the county council’s children’s service manager – commissioning, said last week: “We’re currently reviewing our short breaks services for children with disabilities, and have extended our existing contracts for a limited period whilst we engage in further consultation with parents, carers, young people and other affected stakeholders.
“We are also exploring how we can support other providers in the market to become more inclusive for children with disabilities.”
Consultation feedback will go to the children and young people scrutiny committee on April 24 before going to executive on May 5.
