The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
The fight to retain social clubs for disabled children in Lincolnshire is reaching a critical point.
Lincolnshire County Council has undertaken a consultation with stakeholders as part of a review of its short break service, which provides social club activities after school and in holidays.
Some parents across the county fear that their children might be left with only mainstream provision.
Spalding mum Amanda Matthews, whose online petition has so far attracted more than 1,200 signatures, said: “Sometimes it’s not always the right move for disabled children to be in mainstream.”
Her daughter Phoebe (14) attended Monkshouse Primary School until Year 5 and then switched to special school The Willoughby School in Bourne.
Mrs Matthews is urging people to lobby Lincolnshire county councillors ahead of the issue going before the children and young people scrutiny committee on April 24 and executive on May 5.
She said: “The more pressure we can put on the councillors, hopefully it will make them rethink the whole thing.
She added: “We could see families going into crisis.”
The council’s financial commitment to the current service remains until the end of September. One of the frustrations for parents is the uncertainty beyond then.
“They haven’t given us a proposal of what they are proposing to put in its place,” said Mrs Matthews.
The short break service is seen as important to the children for offering tailored activities and social interaction and to parents as enabling some respite.
The online petition is at www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-our-social-clubs-for-disabled-children-in-lincolnshire
