The deadline to close a centre caring for disabled children has been extended.

The closure date for the Nascot Lawn Respite Centre has been moved to January 31 to make sure that all children are assessed before the centre shuts down.

The facility is used by parents who act as full-time carers to their severely disabled children a couple of times a month to give them a rest, or to enable them to spend time with their other children.

The Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group (HVCCG) have decided to withdraw funding as they believe this provides a social rather than a medical need.

Parents were advised that their children’s needs would be evaluated to ensure that they are still given the correct level of care.

However the assessments which were due to be completed by the end of July are still ongoing, and are not expected to be completed this month.

Not all children who attend the centre will be receiving assessments from both health and social care teams, as children aged between two and four who use day care only will be transitioned to alternative services.

The extension of the service will be funded by Hertfordshire County Council, the HVCCG and the East and North Herts CCGs Herts Valley CCG said: “We have written to families to confirm that funding has been extended until 31 January 2018 to allow time for assessments to be completed and for children to be transitioned to alternative arrangements.

“This extension should reassure families around the timeframe for completing assessments and will allow parent and carers to work with health and social care workers to make plans for their family going forward.”

The decision to close the centre was taken by the Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group (HVCCG) as the centre costs £600,000 a year to run and they have been tasked with making £45 million in savings.

Hertfordshire County Council’s Cllr Teresa Heritage, for children’s services said: "We understand that this is a worrying time for parents and carers and we want to reassure them that the wellbeing of all the children who attend Nascot Lawn is of paramount importance to us.

“We are disappointed that HVCCG has decided to cease their funding contribution to short breaks services which means we will not be able to move forward with the integrated health and social care provision we had been working together to achieve."

Watford MP Richard Harrington said: "“Nascot Lawn is an essential local service and a lifeline to so many families. This is a step in the right direction, but we now need to find a long term solution.

"We all agree that Nascot Lawn is a fantastic place and no one wants to see it close. There is a real strength of feeling locally, and I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to get in touch with me about this."

Deputy Mayor of Watford Cllr Peter Taylor said: “This is very welcome news for families who faced losing this vital service in just a few months’ time. It is a victory for families who have campaigned bravely and won the support of thousands of local residents.

“However this agreement only delivers five months of certainty. I will be continuing to push for a permanent solution to guarantee Nascot Lawn’s future beyond January 2018 to give patients and their families the certainly they need and deserve.”

Watford Labour leader and HCC Cllr Nigel Bell said: "While I am pleased this has happened, I feel that the county council should pay more to keep the service until at least the end of March.

"We need to make sure that the centre is protected beyond this point and have championed the issue since the start.

"We should be looking to work with the CCG on this issue to keep this valauble service for vulnerable children."