This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/north_east/7524756.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Autism centre closure is reviewed | Autism centre closure is reviewed |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| An inquiry is underway into the decision to close a residential centre for autistic children and young people less than a year after it opened. | An inquiry is underway into the decision to close a residential centre for autistic children and young people less than a year after it opened. |
| Education Minister Jane Hutt said the decision to shut Hyfrydle raised concerns about Denbighshire Council. | Education Minister Jane Hutt said the decision to shut Hyfrydle raised concerns about Denbighshire Council. |
| It is the second time in less than 12 months that the way the local authority works has been queried. | It is the second time in less than 12 months that the way the local authority works has been queried. |
| Education services were severely criticised last year which led to the ousting of the former council leader. | Education services were severely criticised last year which led to the ousting of the former council leader. |
| Hyfrydle children's home opened in November for pupils attending Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn in Denbigh, after Denbighshire Council said a need for specialist care and education packages for autistic children had been identified. | Hyfrydle children's home opened in November for pupils attending Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn in Denbigh, after Denbighshire Council said a need for specialist care and education packages for autistic children had been identified. |
| But councillors voted last week to close the Denbigh-based centre after hearing the home had been affected by competition from other autism centres and only two of six available places had been taken. | But councillors voted last week to close the Denbigh-based centre after hearing the home had been affected by competition from other autism centres and only two of six available places had been taken. |
| The National Autistic Society has described the closure as "premature" and "devastating." | The National Autistic Society has described the closure as "premature" and "devastating." |
| 'Decision-making' | 'Decision-making' |
| Susan Fleet learnt of Hyfrydle 's closure a week before her autistic son Elliot, 16, moved in last July. | |
| She said the home offered "amazing" facilities but was the 18th centre she had visited to find a suitable placement for her son. | |
| She said: "I can say I don't think it was marketed very well because if I had known about it, it probably would have been at the top of my list. | |
| "I thought it was superb. I couldn't believe I'd found this little facility in the heart of Denbighshire." | |
| The assembly government does not have the powers to overturn Denbighshire's ruling but will ask why a centre that was opened only last November was closed this July, and what impact it will have on the children who would have gone there. | |
| In a written statement, Ms Hutt said the council's decision raised "questions about corporate decision-making within the authority". | In a written statement, Ms Hutt said the council's decision raised "questions about corporate decision-making within the authority". |
| She said she expected the review to be completed by the end of the assembly's summer recess when a further statement would be made. | She said she expected the review to be completed by the end of the assembly's summer recess when a further statement would be made. |
| Redundancy | |
| A union also criticised the closure plan after 11 care workers were taken on at the home about a fortnight before councillors voted for the closure. | A union also criticised the closure plan after 11 care workers were taken on at the home about a fortnight before councillors voted for the closure. |
| Denbighshire Council has said Hyfrydle children's home had been affected by competition from other autism centres. | Denbighshire Council has said Hyfrydle children's home had been affected by competition from other autism centres. |
| The council has said it will try and place the two children elsewhere. | The council has said it will try and place the two children elsewhere. |
| It has not ruled out redundancy for the 26 staff but has said the authority it will look for alternative employment for staff. | It has not ruled out redundancy for the 26 staff but has said the authority it will look for alternative employment for staff. |
| Denbighshire Council has been asked for a statement on Ms Hutt's announcement. | Denbighshire Council has been asked for a statement on Ms Hutt's announcement. |
| Last year, a damning report by the schools inspectorate, Estyn, led to the resignation of council leader Rhiannon Hughes, and the establishment of an independent education recovery board. | Last year, a damning report by the schools inspectorate, Estyn, led to the resignation of council leader Rhiannon Hughes, and the establishment of an independent education recovery board. |