AN organisation which looks after the interests young people with disabilities and special needs has hit out at plans to scale back services at a respite centre.

Essex Family Forum has criticised Essex County Council's decision to close one of the flats at Lavender House, Stanway.

The group, which represents families from across the county, said it has not been involved in the decision making process and wanted further information on the reason behind the closure.

A spokesman said: "The current situation is that whilst the forum has been made aware of the plight of both Lavender House and The Maples in Harlow by some of our members, we have had no engagement with councillor Dick Madden in this regard.

"As a forum, we have many unanswered questions and concerns as to how the decision to close these centres has been made.

"Today it has been made clear to Essex County Council we are dissatisfied and disappointed that the forum's name has been used in a way that infers we have been involved in this decision process. We remain an independent organisation.

"We strive to reflect the value of provisions like Lavender House and The Maples and to stress the impact their closure will have on struggling families."

Under Essex County Council's proposals one of the flats at Lavender House will close in the near future.

This will leave the service with one property, or four beds, to cater for 33 families in the area and has left parents worried about the future of the service.

However County Hall says there will still be enough space to cater for demand and the decision has not been made for financial reasons.

A spokesman said: “The Maples Centre and Lavender House respite homes are not closing.

"The decision will not affect families and they will continue to receive the same opportunity.

“We have listened to concerns raised by the Essex Family Forum on these proposals following a meeting they attended for local families.

"We will use all feedback to inform our plans. The forum has also conducted a survey with families to gather their views, providing further valuable insight.

“We recognise the complex and challenging role parents and carers of children with disabilities fulfil and it is important their voices continue to be heard and fed into all of our decision-making.”