East Lancs respite care units under threat

8:00pm Sunday 23rd December 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Peter Magill, Chief reporter

A PUBLIC consultation exercise is set to begin over controversial plans to axe a number of respite units in Lancashire.

Social service chiefs insist that several units are not equipped to deal with the most seriously disabled youngsters.

And as part of proposals to hack £3million from the respite care budget, county council officials plan to close between four and six sites.

Those under threat include Hargreaves House in Oswaldtwistle, Burnley’s Reedley Cottages and Long Copse at Chorley.

Newly-built units would take their place, if current proposals go ahead, with the favoured locations being either Accrington or Nelson, and Preston or Chorley, if only two units remain, and Morecambe, Lancaster, south Wyre and West Lancashire if four are required.

Campaigners in East Lancs have already voiced strong objections to any moves to close Hargreaves House.

County Hall bosses are already bracing themselves for at least some unease over the plans, which will be the subject of public debate over the next 12 weeks.

Helen Denton, the county council’s executive director for children’s services, said in a report: “Parents will of course express concern about potential increases to travel time for children and young people with complex needs resulting from reducing the number of units and this is clearly an important factor to take into account.”

Under the proposed scheme short breaks for children with disabilities would still take place, and trained carers will be provided for some overnight breaks.

Comments (6)

6:31am Mon 24 Dec 12

golazzo says...

LCC you should be ashamed of yourselves. Surely money should be ring fenced for adults/children's needs, there should be no need to slash services find the money from elsewhere. I read elsewhere that many other councils made it plain and simple that one thing they wouldn't slash was this service.

I would suggest anyone who could be possibly effected to get in touch with Irwin Mitchell Solictors of Manchester. LCC have a duty of care and if they take just one day from your respite provisions then they are failing by law and can be sued.

Apply for legal aid if your children are under 16, you will receive funding

Good luck to all concerned and make your voices heard loud and clear
LCC you should be ashamed of yourselves. Surely money should be ring fenced for adults/children's needs, there should be no need to slash services find the money from elsewhere. I read elsewhere that many other councils made it plain and simple that one thing they wouldn't slash was this service. I would suggest anyone who could be possibly effected to get in touch with Irwin Mitchell Solictors of Manchester. LCC have a duty of care and if they take just one day from your respite provisions then they are failing by law and can be sued. Apply for legal aid if your children are under 16, you will receive funding Good luck to all concerned and make your voices heard loud and clear golazzo

9:10am Mon 24 Dec 12

andrewsmith says...

LCC once again you have proved that you do not care about disabled children and their families. I am quite suprised that Helen Denton seems to have time to speak to the press but does not get back to parents when they write to her about difficulties they are facing. The Cabinet Minister is no better. Shame on these people who are MAKING LIFE NOT JUST DIFFICULT FOR THESE PEOPLE BUT UNBEARABLE WITHOUT THE RESPITE CARE THEY REQUIRE.

Helen Denton seems to going on about "shortbreaks", but there is no shortbreaks being provided in Burnley, Pendle. How do you justify no services being provided in these 2 areas LCC?

LCC DO NOT CARE FOR DISABLED CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES AND THESE CUTS PROVE IT!!!!!!!!!!
LCC once again you have proved that you do not care about disabled children and their families. I am quite suprised that Helen Denton seems to have time to speak to the press but does not get back to parents when they write to her about difficulties they are facing. The Cabinet Minister is no better. Shame on these people who are MAKING LIFE NOT JUST DIFFICULT FOR THESE PEOPLE BUT UNBEARABLE WITHOUT THE RESPITE CARE THEY REQUIRE. Helen Denton seems to going on about "shortbreaks", but there is no shortbreaks being provided in Burnley, Pendle. How do you justify no services being provided in these 2 areas LCC? LCC DO NOT CARE FOR DISABLED CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES AND THESE CUTS PROVE IT!!!!!!!!!! andrewsmith

9:10am Mon 24 Dec 12

andrewsmith says...

LCC once again you have proved that you do not care about disabled children and their families. I am quite suprised that Helen Denton seems to have time to speak to the press but does not get back to parents when they write to her about difficulties they are facing. The Cabinet Minister is no better. Shame on these people who are MAKING LIFE NOT JUST DIFFICULT FOR THESE PEOPLE BUT UNBEARABLE WITHOUT THE RESPITE CARE THEY REQUIRE.

Helen Denton seems to going on about "shortbreaks", but there is no shortbreaks being provided in Burnley, Pendle. How do you justify no services being provided in these 2 areas LCC?

LCC DO NOT CARE FOR DISABLED CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES AND THESE CUTS PROVE IT!!!!!!!!!!
LCC once again you have proved that you do not care about disabled children and their families. I am quite suprised that Helen Denton seems to have time to speak to the press but does not get back to parents when they write to her about difficulties they are facing. The Cabinet Minister is no better. Shame on these people who are MAKING LIFE NOT JUST DIFFICULT FOR THESE PEOPLE BUT UNBEARABLE WITHOUT THE RESPITE CARE THEY REQUIRE. Helen Denton seems to going on about "shortbreaks", but there is no shortbreaks being provided in Burnley, Pendle. How do you justify no services being provided in these 2 areas LCC? LCC DO NOT CARE FOR DISABLED CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES AND THESE CUTS PROVE IT!!!!!!!!!! andrewsmith

9:10am Mon 24 Dec 12

andrewsmith says...

LCC once again you have proved that you do not care about disabled children and their families. I am quite suprised that Helen Denton seems to have time to speak to the press but does not get back to parents when they write to her about difficulties they are facing. The Cabinet Minister is no better. Shame on these people who are MAKING LIFE NOT JUST DIFFICULT FOR THESE PEOPLE BUT UNBEARABLE WITHOUT THE RESPITE CARE THEY REQUIRE.

Helen Denton seems to going on about "shortbreaks", but there is no shortbreaks being provided in Burnley, Pendle. How do you justify no services being provided in these 2 areas LCC?

LCC DO NOT CARE FOR DISABLED CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES AND THESE CUTS PROVE IT!!!!!!!!!!
LCC once again you have proved that you do not care about disabled children and their families. I am quite suprised that Helen Denton seems to have time to speak to the press but does not get back to parents when they write to her about difficulties they are facing. The Cabinet Minister is no better. Shame on these people who are MAKING LIFE NOT JUST DIFFICULT FOR THESE PEOPLE BUT UNBEARABLE WITHOUT THE RESPITE CARE THEY REQUIRE. Helen Denton seems to going on about "shortbreaks", but there is no shortbreaks being provided in Burnley, Pendle. How do you justify no services being provided in these 2 areas LCC? LCC DO NOT CARE FOR DISABLED CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES AND THESE CUTS PROVE IT!!!!!!!!!! andrewsmith

10:16am Mon 24 Dec 12

mavrick says...

The attacks on the most vulnerable continue unabated. This vital service should not even be on the list for consideration. This is the true colours of the Tories, At county level and national level. Despite the recession and the Banking crisis, this country is not that broke. As someone who leans toward Labour I won't hold my breath that if elected they will reverse the cuts. The political parties in this country are run by Millionaires so what hope have we got?.
The attacks on the most vulnerable continue unabated. This vital service should not even be on the list for consideration. This is the true colours of the Tories, At county level and national level. Despite the recession and the Banking crisis, this country is not that broke. As someone who leans toward Labour I won't hold my breath that if elected they will reverse the cuts. The political parties in this country are run by Millionaires so what hope have we got?. mavrick

3:41pm Mon 24 Dec 12

golazzo says...

andrewsmith wrote:
LCC once again you have proved that you do not care about disabled children and their families. I am quite suprised that Helen Denton seems to have time to speak to the press but does not get back to parents when they write to her about difficulties they are facing. The Cabinet Minister is no better. Shame on these people who are MAKING LIFE NOT JUST DIFFICULT FOR THESE PEOPLE BUT UNBEARABLE WITHOUT THE RESPITE CARE THEY REQUIRE.

Helen Denton seems to going on about "shortbreaks", but there is no shortbreaks being provided in Burnley, Pendle. How do you justify no services being provided in these 2 areas LCC?

LCC DO NOT CARE FOR DISABLED CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES AND THESE CUTS PROVE IT!!!!!!!!!!
Quite right. They offer you vouchers for short breaks, yet families can't use them because there are no facilities

Helen Denton you and LCC are a disgrace
[quote][p][bold]andrewsmith[/bold] wrote: LCC once again you have proved that you do not care about disabled children and their families. I am quite suprised that Helen Denton seems to have time to speak to the press but does not get back to parents when they write to her about difficulties they are facing. The Cabinet Minister is no better. Shame on these people who are MAKING LIFE NOT JUST DIFFICULT FOR THESE PEOPLE BUT UNBEARABLE WITHOUT THE RESPITE CARE THEY REQUIRE. Helen Denton seems to going on about "shortbreaks", but there is no shortbreaks being provided in Burnley, Pendle. How do you justify no services being provided in these 2 areas LCC? LCC DO NOT CARE FOR DISABLED CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES AND THESE CUTS PROVE IT!!!!!!!!!![/p][/quote]Quite right. They offer you vouchers for short breaks, yet families can't use them because there are no facilities Helen Denton you and LCC are a disgrace golazzo

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