Anger over axeing of ‘vital’ Aberdeen support service

Angry parents accused Aberdeen City Council of a lack of interest in disabled people after councillors failed to turn up to a meeting which discussed the axeing of a “vital” support service.

More than 100 people were at the public meeting in the Belmont Cinema on Saturday to express their anger over the council’s decision to withdraw the Community Placement Team last month and lay off its 10 staff members to save £100,000.

The team arranges work and college placements, plus leisure activities, for 280 people with learning and physical disabilities.

Muriel Ingram, 48, told the meeting she feared for her son’s future if the service was cut.

Her son, Scott, 23, has Asperger’s syndrome and the team helped him to find employment.

The mother-of-three, from Rosemount, said: “When Scott left school he was introduced to the community team and they found employment for him.

“If the team is withdrawn what would happen to his work placement? This is the fear I have.

“His self-esteem has gone up and he planned to move out, and he has even visited New York.

“He has done things I never imagined were possible, all because of the support from the community team.

“What’s going to happen to service. Nobody has said what is going to replace it. They haven’t even had the decency to say it’s under threat.

“Anybody who loses a job or their social circle does get depressed. What strain would that put on the families?

“This is the one thing he has got and they want to axe it. If they think I’m not going to fight this they are very, very wrong.”

Chrissie Bruce, 68, helped organise Saturday’s meeting.

She worked for the team for six years and is now chairwoman of associated group Access to Training and Employment, which is also expected to close as a result of the cut.

“I think it would be an absolute disgrace if the social work department closed it down,” she said.

“Does the department no longer think it’s necessary for people to go out and work and build self-esteem?

“The thing that really concerns me is the lack of interest from the local authority. The council’s social work director, Fred McBride, made it very clear that no one would be coming to our meeting.

“We have contacted the councillors responsible but none of them have turned up.

“They say they are trying to save £100,000 by cutting this team and putting it to the voluntary sector. How are they going to pick up services for 300 clients, because they’re strapped for cash too.”

Opposition Labour councillor Len Ironside said: “The people responsible are not here today because they are too scared to face you.

“They are putting money before people and it’s a disgrace. Why is it whenever there are cuts they always pick on the needy and disabled?

“They have the money — it’s how they spend it.”

Mr McBride said: “We (the council) are constantly seeking to provide services more cost-effectively, which is what this proposal is about. I am happy to meet with Access to Training and Employment to have a constructive dialogue about new ways of organising community placements.

“The service will not disappear. What we are planning to do is use the skills and experience of the voluntary sector and other partners to maximise opportunities for people with disabilities to find placements in employment and education and enjoy a wide range of social activities in their own communities.”

The Community Placement Team now costs the council £305,000 a year. After this year’s cut, the remaining £205,000 will be used to help the voluntary sector provide support.