Manchester Evening News

Mum’s anger as axe set to fall on children’s home

- By JENNIFER WILLIAMS jennifer.williams@men-news.co.uk @jenwilliam­smen

COUNCIL bosses are set to close Salford’s only home for disabled children after years of campaigns to save it.

A report originally due to go before senior councillor­s this week recommends closing the Grange, in Peel Green, following months of uncertaint­y.

Parents of the home’s two remaining residents have reacted with fury to the plans, but the council says providing expensive residentia­l care for two children – when there is no demand for the remaining beds – is no longer feasible as it looks to find savings.

Former mayor Ian Stewart first proposed major changes to the Grange in 2013, when it had 24 residents.

It meant many of the children were sent to an adult care home in Ellsemere Park for their respite care instead.

Since then The Grange’s occupancy has dwindled further and now only two out of the home’s remaining five beds are taken. Teenagers Rachel Barton and Declan Dickinson are the remaining two residents.

The council’s report says it has tried to encourage other local authoritie­s to place children in the home, without success. The proposed closure would save it around £300,000 a year and the two children would be found placements elsewhere.

‘Every effort’ will be made to ensure council staff working at the home are transferre­d to new jobs, according to the report.

However Rebecca Howarth, whose daughter Rachel stays at the Grange, said she had been extremely disappoint­ed to learn of the proposed closure from the M.E.N., having been told by the council that no final decision had been made.

“There are a vast number of questions that we feel still need to be answered by the council before they could rubber stamp this closure, as we do not feel that the consultati­on has been done thoroughly and we do feel that the informatio­n contained in the report is somewhat disingenuo­us,” she said.

“The report states that the parents have been consulted but if this is the case I would like to know when, as I certainly have not and as far as I am aware neither have the parents of the other resident.”

She also questioned the qualificat­ions of those taking the decision, including whether they had any understand­ing of complex disabiliti­es.

Coun Lisa Stone, lead member for children’s services, insisted the council had spoken to parents.

“We have had extensive conversati­ons with both parents of children at the Grange, and staff through Unison,” she said.

“Ultimately the financing of the unit is incredibly complicate­d and we do not believe the proposals submitted by parents and staff will achieve the savings they intend to.

“As lead member, it is my responsibi­lity to make decisions which are financiall­y sound and in the best interests of all of Salford’s residents.

“The children will still receive the same quality of care – we are not spending any less on any of them.

“But operationa­lly we can save hundreds of thousands of pounds if we don’t keep the Grange unit open.”

The report had been due for discussion at this week’s cabinet meeting, but has since been withdrawn.

In a letter to parents Coun Stone said it had been deferred due to an ‘administra­tive error,’ but said it would be tabled at a later date.

 ??  ?? Rebecca Howarth and, below, her daughter Rachel who stays at the Grange
Rebecca Howarth and, below, her daughter Rachel who stays at the Grange

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