Closure of autism centre in Grimsby delayed for four months

THE closure of a schooling centre for autistic children in Grimsby has been delayed until at least July.

North East Lincolnshire Council leader Chris Shaw yesterday told parents that the Asdrel service would continue in its current form until the end of the academic year.

SAVED: Parents and children celebrate after the proposed closure of Asdrel, an outreach centre for autistic children, has been saved until at least July. From left, Guy Hunt,15, Mandy Hunt, Louise Osborne, Thomas Portus, 11, and Denise Portus. Picture: Michelle Adamson

The news was welcomed by parents who had feared the centre was going to close at the end of this month.

And although Mr Shaw said it was likely that Asdrel would close in July, he added that the four-month extension would allow for a smoother transition to whatever service replaces it.

As reported, the council had previously confirmed that the fixed-term contracts of staff employed at the centre would not be renewed when they expire on March 31.

Parents, many of whom describe the service as a lifeline, say they were told by staff that Asdrel would close at the end of this month.

And although the council insisted this was not the case, it did say that the service would only be continuing in a reduced form, primarily for two children who attend the centre on a full-time basis rather than also attending a mainstream school.

But at a meeting of parents and council bosses at the Western Technology School building yesterday, Mr Shaw said NELC would find the funding needed to extend the contracts of Asdrel staff by four months.

To applause from parents, he said: "Asdrel as a service will continue as it is now until July. However, I need a commitment from you to work with our SEN staff to find the best way forward after July. It can't carry on like this forever."

As reported, Asdrel is part of a wide-ranging review of special educational needs (SEN) provision across North East Lincolnshire being carried out by the council's education improvement partner Serco.

Serco's Anne Munro said one-to-one meetings would be arranged with all parents in order to assess the long-term need of each individual child. She told parents: "I understand how you all see Asdrel as a really important provision and I'm not saying it's not really important.

"But the reason Asdrel has been so important for you is because of the concerns you have about education in the much broader picture.

"The review is about improving provision for children with special educational needs. We are not saying that this service will not be available, but it may take place in a different way."

Before the announcement, parents pleaded with council bosses to keep the centre open, saying that mainstream schools could not cater for their children's needs.

Sue Jagger, of Laceby, said: "Please don't do it. Please don't take this away from our son. Asdrel has been our salvation."

Julie Dugard, of Waltham, said: "My son hasn't been in school for four weeks and he is not coping with mainstream school. He loves coming to Asdrel. That's when he feels confident."

Caroline Jones, of Cleethorpes, said: "You are taking the staff away, the staff that our children trust and that understand our children. You don't realise how vital they are."

Parent Denise Portus, 48, of Grimsby, said: "It is great news that the service is being extended to July. I've told my son Thomas and he is absolutely thrilled.

"All the parents are delighted, but we will keep up the fight to make sure our children get the support they need in the future.

"Some of the parents have talked about the possibility of setting up a free school for autistic children. I would be all for that and I'm sure the other parents would be as well."