TWO respite centres described as a “matter of survival” for families with severely disabled children will remain open for at least the next three years.

Families with children with severe special needs had previously said their lives would be wrecked if it were not for the two vital centres in Harlow and Colchester.

Their comments came after concerns respite being offered by Essex County Council at two specialist homes, Lavender House in Colchester and Maples in Harlow, could be permanently reduced.

But cabinet member for children, Cllr Louise McKinlay, has met with families and made assurances to parents that Maples and Lavender will not close for at least three years.

Use of both homes has changed – the number of children accessing Maples over the past four years has reduced by over 37 per cent, from 64 in April 2015 to 40 in January 2019.

The number of children using Lavender over the same period has reduced by 62 per cent, from 86 to 32.

Cllr McKinlay, said: “We are currently developing a three-year strategy to ensure our respite service for children and young people and their families is flexible and reflects the needs of different families.

“The strategy seeks to widen options for respite in developing fostering caring opportunities, review direct payments and look at the role of short breaks.

“I have met with families and have made assurances to parents that Maples and Lavender will not close during the three-year strategy.

“We are however in the process of making a decision to reduce the number of staff at both Maples and Lavender to meet the demand of children placed at these sites.

“This is not a cut, it’s about having the right level of staffing to meet the number of children in the flats on each of the sites.