Parents reassured over cuts to charity support service in North East Lincolnshire
UP TO 70 families who rely on a charity support service are today being reassured care will continue – despite the contract being cancelled.
Families across North East Lincolnshire with children who have additional needs are dependent on a key worker service, currently provided by the charity Barnardo's.
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Worried: Melissa Websell with her daughter Emmelia, who are to greatly miss the care they rely on from Barnardo's Parent Partnership Service. Buy this photo at www.thisisphotosales.co.uk/grimsby
The service is commissioned by North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC), which has recently announced it will not be renewing its contract with the charity when it comes to an end on March 31.
However, NELC is keen to reassure those using the service, who had feared their lifeline had been cut, that officials are looking to continue this support by integrating the provision into existing council services.
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Service user Melissa Websell, 28, of Waltham, said she is desperate for the service to remain the same and fears changes will be made once the contract with Barnardo's ends.
Her three-year-old daughter Emmelia was born with severe reflux and acid problems, which meant she had to undergo major surgery at Sheffield Children's Hospital.
In November 2011, Emmelia underwent an operation where a wrap was placed around her stomach to stop her from refluxing and a hole in her belly now has a feeding tube attached, so food can go directly to her stomach.
Melissa said her daughter is getting stronger each day, but it is a waiting game as to whether she will ever be able to eat a full meal through her mouth.
"I am constantly looking after Emmelia, but it gets hard, as I have two other children to deal with and I am a single parent.
"That is why I rely so much on my key worker as she does my chores, including the food shopping, picking up medication and generally gives me that helping hand I need.
"I don't know where I would be without her and I am worried I will lose her through these changes."
Councillor Ian Lindley, NELC's portfolio holder for people services, said: "Firstly, let me make it absolutely clear that we are not closing the key worker service.
"Since we first developed a key worker service there have been a number of other developments such as an integrated family support model, the Carers' Centre and Befriender schemes that all form part of the support services currently available.
"I want to reassure families currently supported by the service that we will work with Barnardo's to ensure continuity during the transition period and with the parents' forum to ensure that the right free support continues to be available to meet identified needs."
A spokesman for Barnardo's, said: "Barnardo's is committed to supporting the most vulnerable children, young people and families in our communities.
"We are currently working closely with NELC to support the families and offer them an alternative service where available."
4 Comments
by CarlRobertson
Monday, February 25 2013, 11:03PM
“Its just under 5 weeks before we lose our support, What the hell are we meant to do now ?
The current support regime is as follows:
Child Development Centre Nursery & Assesments - 1 year old (I think) through to 3 year old
Portage - Until 3 years of Age
Barnardos Key worker service (Currently Running, however due to close) - As soon as referal is made and worker is appointed - 14 years of age.
The new support regime will be as follows:
Child Development Centre Nursery & Assesments - 1 year old (I think) through to 3 year old
Portage - Until 3 years of Age
Then absolutely nothing unless referred to social services.
The Manageress at Barnardo's Key worker service today told around 30 parents including myself that they have known the service would close for a while and decided on a coffee morning to advise us all of whats what, The manageress said she has been informed by nelc there will be a key worker service in place - (Did I Really hear that ?)
Where is this magic pot of money coming from to create this new service that barnardos have run properly ?
Where is this magic team going to appear from ?
How long will it take for us to get the support ?
The answer to this is quite simple there isnt another service, I have contacted the press regarding this because if it wasnt for the support of Liz (Manageress) & Annette (Our Key Worker) I wouldnt be where I am today, I have gone through so much stress, Hassle, Battles with various professionals and they are the ones along with the rest of the team that have got me through these hard times, I have undertaken counselling for my anger and again this is thanks to the team at barnardos for helping me achieve this.
So now what are we meant to do, slip back down hills as the support we had is no longer there for us thanks to nelc and the government.
My daughter 4 years of age been involved with barnardos for around 2 years has managed to progress loads thanks to barnardos for helping us with her, Her appointments, Helping us as parents to be able to get to appointments, helping us get through red tape,Benefit claims, Applications for family fund plus much much more, I am finding it hard to come to terms with the complete loss of support we have had over the last year and to now lose our final support connection just appauls me.
I have GT coming to see us to do another article on this as I feel strongly and if anymore service users are reading this please contact GT, I have an appointment to discuss this further with austin mitchell but very little will be able to be done in time to save the service unfortunately, No matter if Peaceful Protests etc was planned and acted on outside of council offices during their working hours and outside of Barnardos office.
However I am going to get a petition created online and also on paper and both will be presented to Austin Mitchell on 15th March if I can get enough signatures on the petition from service users and the general public, I will be making appearances outside of municipal offices and barnardos for a peaceful protest and in hope of getting the petition signed by as many as possible.”
by mickeymouse90
Saturday, February 23 2013, 7:18PM
“it only 5 weeks till no keywork service so what all these familys going to do with no support.they dont just work with special need child they work with all the family.they going to hospial appoint school appoint etc they made you feel better.what about the family who dont trust people and worker and it take the children a long time to trust new people coming into the home.the ones who go to groups what keywork support you need to wake up and come to talk to parents and see what they do in a day and night you dont know a thing what use parents go thought”
by Mommamonkey
Thursday, February 21 2013, 5:25PM
“Let me try to make sense of this, the "service users" will lose their current trusted key worker, and then become part of another existing (but not heard of) service which is stretched to capacity as it is? How often will the "service users" see their new key worker, monthly? Bi-monthly?”
by cazzy68
Thursday, February 21 2013, 11:32AM
“oh this sounds so familiar..'parents reassured'.. just like they reassured us about the closure of ASDREL( a support service for young people with austism). We were promised a service of the same standard or better to replace it but now it is closing and not being replaced with anything...once again this council is targeting the vulnerable young people of this authority by backing out of the Parent Partnership service which I have personally used in the past and is a vital service....this council should hang their heads in shame but they would have to have a consicence first”