Severely disabled children across Fife have become the latest victims of budget cuts.
Seven workers who support youngsters with physiotherapy and occupational therapy are to be axed from schools at the end of the academic year as part of Fife Council’s budget process.
Shocked parents are appalled at the controversial decision which, they say, will have a huge negative impact on some of the weakest and most vulnerable members of society.
Vicky Lovell, whose five-year-old son Calum is one of those hit by the move, said: “For severely disabled children, these cuts are devastating.”
She added: “Apart from the moral and human impact of these cuts, they are also not financially credible.
“The cost to the NHS of treating children and adults who have not received physiotherapy and occupational therapy intervention are huge.”
Calum, who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy as well as a range of other complex needs, is a pupil at Calaiswood School in Dunfermline, which provides specialist education for children with additional support needs.
While physiotherapists and occupational therapists will still attend, the school will lose both of its physio and OT support workers who continue therapy with pupils between visits.
They will be redeployed into the community.
Mrs Lovell, 38, said there had been no communication with schools or parents about the move and claimed the issue was being swept under the carpet.
“Physiotherapy has been proven time and time again to have a massive impact on positive outcomes for these children,” she said.
“It is absolutely critical for both physical development and reaching their potential and also for the avoidance of future physical and medical complications.”
She added: “Occupational therapy is key for so many reasons but for children like mine, this includes ensuring postural management programmes are in place.
“Early intervention and childhood intervention are critical.
“I am just appalled that this has been kept so quiet and that there has been no coordinated plan or communication.”
Mrs Lovell and husband Rob say Calum has progressed hugely since he began receiving support at Calaiswood two years ago.
“Through intensive therapy he has been able to initiate steps independently and bear weight and hold himself up using a walker,” she said.
“He was never able to do that before.”
Occupational therapy support also ensures Calum’s posture is supported 24 hours a day to prevent future orthopaedic complications.
“My fear is he will stop making the fantastic progress he is making if services are withdrawn and we will see further complications later in life.”
The support workers being removed from schools are employed by NHS Fife but funded by Fife Council’s education department which commissions the service from the health board.
The local authority offered an assurance that it would continue to work closely with the NHS to support children and young people with additional and complex needs.
Head of education and children’s services Shelagh McLean said: “The services currently available, including occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech and language therapy, will continue to be delivered through clinics or the community or as agreed in any new contract with the NHS and Fife Council’s education service.”
Ms McLean said the council was in the process of informing schools and parents about the change.