Lib Dems demand the sitting service is saved

9.39.54pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 12th Feb 2007

Beautiful Saira

Tower Hamlets Liberal Democrats are supporting the Save our Sitting Service Campaign. The sitting service provides a few hours of relief for the carers of challenging children, many of whom have autistic spectrum disorder. Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Cllr Stephanie Eaton said today "Having met with some of the families who use the service, I know that having an evening to go to the cinema or spending time with friends and family while being sure that your child is being well cared for in her own home, makes such a difference". This picture shows Saira, a gorgeous 6 year old who loves her sitter and whose parents credit the sitting service with keeping them going.

Cllr Stephanie Eaton makes friends with Saira

Information uncovered by the Liberal Democrats has revealed that decision not to renew the sitting service contract was taken by the Council's Children's Services Directorate without consulting any of the users of the service. Cllr Eaton has been advised that officers will be meeting with families in the coming weeks to "assess what is available to them at present and to agree transitional support arrangements". Cllr Eaton has responded to the Council's plans stating "It is beyond my understanding how a service which is working and valued by its users should be stopped without consultation. These children need continuity of care and a sitting service provided in the child's home suits the families. The service is relatively inexpensive and is a lifeline to families struggling with the demands of a disabled child."

The families who use the service are putting together a book explaining their lives and the value of a few hours respite every week. This includes the story below.

Saira's Story as told by her Mum, Netty.

Saira will cry and scream and shriek, she will dig her heels in and kick, scratch and bite, she will refuse to eat and struggle to sleep, she will take off her nappy and smear her faeces, she will slam doors and climb on the windowsills, she will run in to puddles and lakes (including the lake in Victoria Park last summer) she doesn't like to wait for anything and will often barge to the front of the queue and sweep clear the supermarket shelves, she won't share her toys or those belonging to her sister, she will hide and become agitated around guests, strangers and even some friends, and she'll be bursting with energy and keep going all day long. Saira is a poor sleeper and is often awake at night and raring to go, slamming doors, switching lights on and off and trying to wake her sister so we often have to put her in our bed and try and restrain her until she falls asleep. Eighteen hour days are not that unusual in our house and on the odd occasion, we've even done a full 24 -hour day with her. When we're physically tired, mentally drained, when we've seen the look of confusion in her eyes and the look of disgust in the eyes of others, we wonder if we can keep on going or whether she'll keep coming with us. At times it does feel very lonely and really unfair.

The sitting service is the only respite we get and without it we would have lost each other. Shola, our babysitter from the sitting service, gives us 4 hours, just 4 precious hours a week, to talk, really talk and clear the decks, recharge our batteries and go back to our family as better partners, better parents.