2:59pm Tuesday 20th July 2010
By Veronica Chamberlain
Herts County Council has given six months’ notice of its intention to terminate Watford Mencap’s contract to run its longstanding Saturday Club for children with disabilities. Writing to Watford Mencap at the end of June, with the letter arriving sometime later due to postal difficulties, Commissioning Manager Helen Gledhill informed the charity that ‘the decision has been made to cease all Prevention 513 projects with effect from 31st December 2010. I am writing to provide you with the required 6-months notice of termination, in line with Clause 29.2 of your contract.’ At a parents’ meeting on Monday 19th July, at Watford Mencap Children’s Centre, parents expressed their outrage at the decision, which means that from December 2010 they will have no respite at weekends from looking after their disabled children.
Watford Dad Paul Murphy, father of Christopher, 5, who has cerebral palsy, said: ‘5 hours on a Saturday means we can use power tools, mow the garden, decorate or visit locations that can’t accommodate wheelchairs. Just 5 hours makes such a difference to our lives.’ The Saturday Club is a chance for children with disabilities aged 5-13 to come once a month to the Children’s Centre for fun and a social life. It also provides much-needed respite for their parents and carers.
Children’s Centre Manager Ro Linton commented, ‘The impact on our families cannot be overestimated. This is a vital service which deserves priority, like all our services for disabled children.’ Funding Manager Veronica Chamberlain pointed out: ‘The decision was not compliant with the Compact to which Herts CC has signed up: • there was no evidence of an assessment of the impact on beneficiaries • no one discussed the implications with Watford Mencap or gave them a chance to respond • the Council did not act in a fair or rational manner by consulting those affected or giving them a chance to be heard • the decision impacts adversely on the equalities duties of the Council, as those affected already suffer from discrimination and disadvantage.
We hope the Council will reconsider this decision which will devastate the families whom we support.Visit our Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/watford.mencap
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