A PUBLIC consultation has been launched over plans to close the 'lifeline' residential provision at a special school in Hartford.
Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) is seeking views on the proposed withdrawal of the service at Greenbank School, which provides overnight stays for pupils aged 13 to 16 with autism, speech, language, social and communication difficulties.
The consultation follows the council's decision to end funding for the provision from this September, which the consultation website says was 'at the request of the school's governing body'.
It adds: "It has concluded it will no longer be capable of operating the residential provision within its delegated budget."
The school, which shares a site with St Nicholas Catholic High School on Greenbank Lane, offers residential placements one night a week from Monday to Thursday, for up to 10 pupils at a time.
The service is designed to help young people develop independence, communication, and life skills while also providing respite for their families.
The residential provision was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in each of its last two inspections.
When the proposal was made public in April, head teacher, Mike McCann, described it as ‘deeply disappointing’, warning it meant losing opportunities which help prepare vulnerable pupils for adult life.
He said: "They really benefit from the opportunity to develop their independent, life, living, communication and social skills.
"Lifelong friendships are formed and sustained beyond school.
“The risk of withdrawing the funding grant is all these experiences and opportunities preparing them for adulthood and future lives will be lost."
Parents have also voiced concerns about the proposals.
Jenifer Emerson, whose son George attends the residential provision, previously described the service as a ‘lifeline’ for families.
She said: "These provisions are a lifeline to so many families supporting young people with additional needs to be as independent as possible, and provide invaluable respite to carers."
Explaining the decision, a CWAC spokesman said: “A decision has been made to cease the grant allocation for residential services, as the eligibility conditions of the grant were no longer being delivered in line with the original expectations as set out when the grant was determined.
"Whilst the quality of what has been delivered has been positive, the approach has unfortunately led to inequality in relation to the provision of extracurricular support for children and young people outside of normal school hours, including for children with special educational needs and disabilities."
The council is now inviting residents, parents, carers, pupils and other interested parties to share their views as part of the consultation process, which ends on Tuesday, August 11.
Further information and details of how to take part are available via Cheshire West and Chester Council's consultation portal.
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