ARGYLL and Bute Council has dismissed claims that cost-cutting was behind its decision to discontinue a support service for Helensburgh and Lomond children with additional needs.

An anonymous reader contacted the Advertiser suggesting that the local authority had pulled the outreach service at Parklands Primary, which caters for pupils aged between five and 18 years old with complex special educational needs, for financial reasons.

Youngsters from all of Helensburgh and Lomond’s schools who needed the outreach service were transported from their learning place to the Charlotte Street hub by minibus for sessions.

However our source said the service had been “scrapped without consultation with parents”.

The source said: “It’s failing children in the area just to save money.

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“Council representatives gave the excuse of staff leaving but the jobs have not been advertised.”

Argyll and Bute Council’s website described the focus of the outreach service for pupils in mainstream schools in the area as being on “nurture approaches and developing emotional literacy”.

The council confirmed that the outreach provision supplied by two teachers from Parklands Primary has been discontinued – but said there has been “no financial consideration in the decision, and it is not part of any council savings programme”.

A spokesperson said: “In line with the national GIRFEC (Get It Right For Every Child) model, the needs of our children and young people are assessed and met by staff in the schools they attend, by the teachers they see every day, and in close consultation with families and relevant partner agencies.

“Building capability and expertise within all our schools ensures inclusive and targeted support for children, planned and delivered by the people who know them best.”