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Furious parents say they feel their children have been “forgotten” due to the cancellation of social care provision during the lockdown.

The Observer has been contacted by seven families of children with complex care needs from across the Stirling area, all with the same story of being left to cope on their own as services were pulled due to the pandemic.

It has led to parents being forced to leave their jobs to care for their children and express concerns over the mental health of their children and themselves.

One parent, who has a 13-year-old disabled son who received up to ten hours respite care before lockdown, told the Observer that this support was cancelled, as well as provision of his special needs education.

She said: “After a few months of lockdown, we spoke with social work about the situation as we were in desperate need of help.

“We were informed that no social work care for disabled children was permitted by Stirling Council during lockdown and, going forward, our weekly care package would be halved. The lost hours over lockdown would not be banked for future use.

“Other council areas in central Scotland have not taken this approach and the First Minister appeared on national television during lockdown confirming to an autistic child that his carers could come to his house during lockdown to provide respite care. Stirling Council seems to have a different view from the First Minister.

“We really feel that the disabled are being left behind by Stirling Council at a really difficult time for everyone – but especially for those that are socially isolated throughout normal life.

“All the parents we know and speak to feel the same way. No one is listening. No one cares. We’re bottom of the list.

“Having moved here from another council area in Scotland, we can confirm that Stirling Council falls seriously short here and we would move out of the area because of it. It shouldn’t be like that.”

This story is echoed by several other families, all of whom have spoken on condition of their anonymity due to ongoing complaints with the council or due to concerns over impact on their children’s care going forward.

Another parent, whose son also has complex care needs arising from a genetic condition, said the removal of their support was having a serious impact on the family’s overall health.

She said: “Like many families with children with complex needs, we have struggled with our mental health and wellbeing. Our son is very confused and upset that his routine has gone and his world is so different.

“His behaviours are difficult to manage and we struggle to keep him calm.

“We became aware that due to easing of restrictions by the First Minister, families in other areas were starting to receive much-needed respite and care for their child. My son’s care provider contacted me and said that they were ready to start providing that care safely using precautions.

“However, social work said no. They have yet to make a decision on when care can recommence.

“They are prioritising safety. I told them that the mental health and wellbeing of the young people and their families should be taken into consideration.

“At this point, I was told people hitting crisis point can be given emergency care four hours a week but the parents must sign a disclaimer to say they are aware that their child could contract Covid-19.

I signed this desperate for some help.

“It’s sad that you have to hit crisis point to get help – surely preventing the crisis is preferable.”

The situation has forced a group of around 10 to 15 affected families in the region to come together on a Facebook page to share their own experiences and frustrations with the withdrawal of the vital services.

The group’s organiser, whose own teenage son suffers from an extremely rare condition that requires around-theclock care, says her family has been forced to “pick up the pieces” during lockdown and that no care plan is in place for the summer holidays.

The parent also told the Observer that while some care has started back up since lockdown has been eased, it’s regarded by many of those in the group as simply “too little, too late”.