A mother from Shenley this week hit out at the way the county council treated her disabled daughter during the last year of her life.

Brenda Willans is appealing for the council's social services department to be more open with parents of people with learning disabilities in its care.

She claims she spent a year battling with the council to find her 18-year-old daughter suitable residential accommodation with a high level of care.

Hertfordshire County Council said it worked hard to meet the needs of each individual, but could not always achieve exactly what every family wanted.

Mrs Willans, of Ribston Close, whose daughter, Victoria, died of a chest infection in April after suffering from long-term breathing problems, said: 'I don't want this to happen to other people.'

She claims her problems with social services started last year when the department assessed Victoria to decide whether she needed residential care on leaving school or whether she could stay at home.

In June last year a report by Victoria's social worker, she claimed, contained several inaccuracies, including a statement that she had a brother, when in fact she had three sisters.

Mrs Willans claimed the social worker underestimated the amount of care Victoria required, although she was unable to see the report until after the council had decided not to grant her daughter funding for residential accommodation.

'The social worker who wrote that report had met Victoria around four times ,, he didn't know her at all,' she said.

The mother complained to the council and Hertsmere MP James Clappison, after which the council carried out a further assessment and agreed to provide funding.

When she asked to be involved in the selection of a residential home for Victoria, the council refused to let her see a list of available homes.

Mrs Willans said: 'It got to be ridiculous just trying to get information out of them. I had enough stress looking after her and keeping a full-time job without having to write endless letters.'

A council spokesman said: 'It wasn't possible for us to give Mrs Willans a list of homes in Hertfordshire to choose from as only a few had vacancies.'

James Clappison said: 'I hope the council will learn from this case. I am much in favour of social services listening to the views of parents in these situations.'

The council spokesman added: 'We aim to provide help and care that best suits everyone who needs support from social services, but we can't always do exactly what their families want.'