Helensburgh Cornerstone service for children to end in area

Local charity Cornerstone's contract with the Argyll and Bute health and social care partnership (HSCP) will not be renewed when it runs out at the end of the financial year.

The partnership between the HSCP and the charity has been going in Helensburgh since 2012, but Cornerstone says its local Jigsaw and Clasp services will not be able to continue beyond March 31.

Families warned it marks the end of “any support” for children with special needs in the area.

Michelle Conway, whose 11-year-old son Sean uses the service, spoke of the "horrible" loss.

She told the Advertiser: “Our children cannot go to the regular clubs and activities that typical children can attend such as gymnastics, football, and dancing.

“They cannot simply go out to ride their bikes or play out with their friends due to their complex needs.

Sean has found the Cornerstone service vital (Image: Michelle Conway)

"Cornerstone, or ‘club’ as we call it, was the social interaction that our kids crave, deserve, and should have access to in any caring society.

“Our children may be small in numbers, and their cause may not be fashionable or in vogue but make no mistake our children are some of the most vulnerable in society and their interests must be protected.

“It is the mark of a civilisation how well they treat the weakest and most vulnerable members of society.”

She continued: “Our children are a soft target for cuts to funding. They do not have a voice, so we, as parents, must be their voice.

“I think it is a disgrace that there is absolutely nothing in place for our children in the entire area.

"It’s all very well having social work hours, but without the type of social support provided by Cornerstone, our children are being failed and isolated, which is something as a society we should all be ashamed of.

Jackie Baillie MSP with Sean and his pal Lydia and their Christmas card designs (Image: Contributed)

“Special needs parenting is tough. It is a lonely, scary, and overwhelming journey, often with no support. It feels like we must fight for kids at every step of the way.

“Cornerstone has been a lifeline to parents like me. We cannot simply send our children to a childminder, or after school, or clubs that typical children would attend.

“The burden of care for our kids with no voice of their own is all-consuming and something you can’t fully appreciate unless you find yourself in this position.

“I fully appreciate that there is a shortage of money and budget constraints, but this is a vital service that impacts not only the quality of life of our children, but also parents and siblings.

“There are no other respite facilities in the entire area. This is lifeline is simply being taken away form our children, with no comparable service being made available to them.

"At a minimum our kids require some kind of social club where they can interact with their peers in a safe environment.”

Two residents whose family benefits from the support to special needs children shared the letter from Cornerstone and the HSCP.

It states: “Cornerstone and Argyll and Bute HSCP have enjoyed a long and positive partnership and it is sad and disappointing that we have been unable to find a way to continue.

“We recognise the real difference these services have made and the compassionate, person-centred care and support that has been provided by Cornerstone’s dedicated team of skilled colleagues.

“Argyll and Bute HSCP have opened a market testing exercise to try to attract interest from providers across Scotland, and will consider any expressions of interest in providing a similar service.”

Cornerstone declined to answer specific questions about the change.

But their chief executive, Hazel Brown, told the Advertiser: "We understand the upset this may cause families and fully appreciate this will be a difficult time for them but we are committed to working with the HSCP to try and minimise the impact on the children and families we support as much as possible."

An Argyll and Bute HSCP spokeswoman said they had worked closely with Cornerstone in Helensburgh since 2012 and Dunoon since 2016.

She said: "Our priority is to continue supporting children and families to meet their specific needs.  

"The HSCP in the last year has continued to invest significant grant funding and commission spot purchases through our partner Cornerstone.  

"The HSCP has not been the sole source of funding for Cornerstone. In response to a request from Cornerstone, and as a short-term solution,  we provided a substantial amount of emergency financial assistance, helping Cornerstone to continue delivering its services for the second half of this financial year. 

"We can confirm that there will be no budgetary savings, neither at present nor projected, and there is no intention to reduce the budget allocated to individual children and their families.

"We understand the importance of this support. Nevertheless, we fully recognise this will be an uncertain period for families and are committed to engaging fully with families over the coming months.

"HSCP staff are already reaching out to families to discuss the impact of the current situation.  They are engaging collaboratively with families to consider how needs can be met.  

"Positive conversations have already taken place with some families regarding the use of direct payments to arrange alternative care and support."

A spokesperson for Argyll and Bute Council said: “We understand that HSCP funding remains in place to provide support, and know that steps are already being taken to find alternative options for delivering this support.

"The focus over the next few months will be on working with the families affected to identify the best next steps available.”

Jackie Baillie MSP said: “I was dismayed to hear of the issues affecting the Jigsaw service in Helensburgh provided by Cornerstone.

“This service provides essential one-to-one support, groups and clubs for vulnerable young people, as well as activities at weekends and during school holidays.

“There are already existing difficulties across the board with provision of care support to vulnerable children and adults within Helensburgh and Lomond.

“I would urge the HSCP to prevent the closure of this service which is essential to meet the needs of children and families in the area.”