Outrage at funding cut for disabled

6:50am Friday 2nd May 2008

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PARENTS of young adults with learning disabilities claim they are being forced to pay £90 a day for their child to continue studying on a basic skills course.

The independent living courses are held at Lancaster Post-19 Centre, at Lancaster School, Westcliff, and have been funded by a European Social Fund grant which has come to an end.

Robin Wyatt, 19, who has Down's syndrome, benefits from the course.

His parents were furious to learn he did not qualify for funding because he is able to get some reading and writing tuition at South East Essex College, Southend.

They and other parents have been told if they can pay or find funding at £90 a day, or £45 a session, their child may have a place on the independent living course which teaches cooking, ironing and other basic skills.

Robin's dad Vic Wyatt, 59, of Balmoral Road, Westcliff, said: "Robin has four sessions which would cost us £180 a week. It's unbelievable. We can't afford that."

Another family affected are Jean, 61, and John McKellar, 78, who foster Christopher, 22, who has profound learning disabilities. He uses the centre four days a week and attends a day centre once a week.

Mrs McKellar, 61, of Bardfield, Basildon, said: "It's very unfair. It upsets me that the Learning and Skills Council will fund students at college for five years but only for three years at Lancaster."

The Lancaster Centre is overseen by Southend Adult Community College funded by the Learning and Skills Council.

Community college principal Ali Hadawi said: "I met with the skills council to raise the concerns and issues and convey the level of passion felt and they have gone back to do some reworking.

"They have promised to come back by May 6 and I am hopeful this may help resolve the situation for some but not all parents.

"Personally I don't think it is right to expect parents to foot the bill."

Tory Southend West MP David Amess has vowed to raise the issue in the House of Commons.