Battle to save help for disabled children

Campaigners want parents to lobby MPs and county and district councillors in bid to halt the £1.7 million cut.

A 12-week consultation will begin in May, before a 
final decision is made.

The Parent and Carer Forum is meeting at Dunchurch Park Hotel, near Rugby, on March 19 to put together a plan of action.

And anyone who would like to be added to the contact list for news regarding the cuts should email [email protected]

Spokeswoman Lorna Pepler said: “Thousands of children throughout the county rely on the IDS for their support.

“There is a huge concern that potentially, the quality of thousands of children’s lives will be at risk in the near future.”

Lorna, who lives in Southam, has two children aged 11 and seven who have been diagnosed as autistic.

She added: “For some people, this will put them into crisis.” In her case she said the IDS offers occupational, physiotherapy and help from the autism team which is linked to schools.

She said the proposed cuts are “false economy”because the IDS helps keep families 
together and without the help there was a risk some children could end up in council care.

A Warwickshire County Council spokesperson said: “Warwickshire County Council’s budget in February included a savings target of £1.7m for the Integrated Disability Service. A large proportion of the savings will be internal with no impact on frontline service, but the council will also consult on a modernisation and redesign programme for the service. This will focus on those with greatest need and aim to 
offer more choice and control to families when accessing support.

“The 12-week consultation will begin in May, with final decisions on changes to the service to be approved by the Warwickshire County Council’s Cabinet in September. The county council is keen for parent and carer representatives to be part of the whole process and contribute to the redesign plans.”