Parents "gutted" over planned closure of autism respite centre near Rotherham
The Robert Ogden School in Thurnscoe announced plans last month
Parents of children with complex needs in South Yorkshire tell us they're 'gutted' about plans to close an autism respite centre near Rotherham.
Last month The Robert Ogden School in Thurnscoe announced proposals to close their residential services at the end of this academic year.
Doncaster dad Robert McKenzie's son William often uses the facilities and tells us it's a huge blow: "As parents we won't have the respite to recharge our own batteries from our young people, and our young people won't get the social development to fully broaden their horizons for later on in life.
"William is currently is very upset because his respite care has been withdrawn, with very little notice to him. There was a blanket letter to parents, no consultation, no prior warning.
"It is a diabolical decision thrust upon us as parents, our young people, young adults with no thought to the future".
Caroline Stevens, Chief Executive of the National Autistic Society, said: “The quality of support that we deliver and the safeguarding of the people who receive that support is paramount to us.
“We are deeply sorry to confirm that we are proposing to close Thurnscoe House, our residential provision at Robert Ogden School, and find a buyer for our nearby 52 week children’s home, Clayton Croft. We are currently working with families, local authorities and our staff on the next steps around this.
“We remain proud of the work and progress of our residential services, all of which are rated as Good by Ofsted, but know that we are at risk of no longer being in a position to maintain and deliver them in the way that we not only wish to do, but that is imperative for the children and young people who use them. As a provider, we do not operate at a scale in this area that enables us to continue to provide the quality of service that we expect and demand, and also that the children and young people deserve.
“Like many organisations, the financial year 2023/2024 is going to be extremely challenging for our charity. We had to make difficult decisions when setting our budget for 2023/24 to ensure that the organisation did not incur further financial losses. We must make some tough decisions now to ensure our organisation is structured to be as efficient and effective as possible, recognising the financial pressures that are impacting all areas in which we work.
“We are therefore enacting a programme of fundamental change across the organisation, in line with the commitments set out in our new organisational strategy, to ensure that we do not finish in a deficit position at the end of this financial year and that we can continue as a viable and sustainable organisation in the future.
“It is with deep sadness and regret that we have taken this incredibly difficult decision, and we know this will be worrying for staff and the families we support. Our priority is to support those groups as we navigate this period of change.”