By Andrew Clarke

Last updated at 11:48, Thursday, 05 July 2012

FEARS have been raised over the future of a “lifeline” facility for disabled children after it was forced to suspend a service due to lack of staff.

Footsteps Child Development Centre, at the West Cumberland Hospital, has written to parents to say that it will not be offering its three-times-a-week pre-school playgroup sessions during August as a result of staffing levels.

Health chiefs say that there are “no plans to close down” Footsteps and it will continue to offer its other activities during the summer. However, in light of the playgroup news, parents have expressed concern about future of the centre, which offers speech, occupational and physio therapies in a play setting for disabled children.

A Whitehaven mother, whose son attends Footsteps, said that services have dwindled in recent months due to staffing levels.

“There are less kids going simply because there isn’t the staff to cover the sessions,” she said.

“Staff have left or gone off on sick leave and not been replaced to the point where many parents feel it hasn’t been worthwhile going. The members of staff that are left – as good as they are – can’t do the work of four people.

“We understand it’s a difficult time, but when it was fully staffed, Footsteps was a great service, it was well-used and was a lifeline for people.”

The playgroup sessions will end on July 31 and resume on September 2.

In its letter to parents, Footsteps says: “As a result of staff members being on annual leave during August, we have reluctantly had to make the decision that there will be no child development sessions in August.

“We hope you understand the need for this as we are unable to guarantee staff being present at all the sessions.”

A spokesperson for Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said: “There are no plans to close down the Footsteps Child Development Centre.

“Only the pre-school playgroup is affected by the summer break – all other activities at the centre will continue, including assessments, and parents have been advised that they can access therapists for input if required.

“If any parents have any concerns or questions we would encourage them to contact the staff at the centre who will be happy to help.”

Rachael Davies, of the Learning to Change support group, said: “All the services offered at Footsteps are needed, but have quietly been run into the ground. We need a reassurance that things will improve and this lifeline service will not be lost.”

Footsteps opened in April 1999 at a cost of £250,000. A Footsteps to the Future campaign by The Whitehaven News and Times & Star raised £63,666 of that total.

First published at 11:13, Thursday, 05 July 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk