A CHARITY which helps the educational development of children with learning difficulties have hit out at a council over proposed changes to its special needs provision.

Staff from The Education Centre for Children with Down's Syndrome have condemned Darlington Borough Council's plans to reduce the number of early years inclusion practitioners from nine full-time posts shared by 11 staff to to three.

They say it will result in less children with the condition being able to reach their full potential and could make the difference between a child attending a mainstream school or attending a special school.

But the council says the plans will not affect children's ability to access mainstream education.

It said £500,000 had been invested in early years inclusion over the past 12 months and the plans would allow parents more flexibility with year-round support, instead of just support in school term-time.

The charity, which is based at Darlington Education Village, helps children with Down's syndrome develop academically and socially through early intervention.

Many of the children who have been helped by the charity are able to go on to mainstream nurseries and schools.

Maggie Hart, who founded the charity after her son, Alex, now five, was born with Down's syndrome, said she was totally opposed to the plans.

"We don't think three members of staff will be able to provide the same level of support as 11 highly trained specialists.

"For children who need a high level of support, it is appropriate that they attend special schools which can meet their needs. But some children are able, with support from early years inclusion practitioners, to attend mainstream education.

"We are very concerned without that support, children wont be able the transition to mainstream school as successfully, or even at all."

She said early intervention was key in the development of children with special needs and that Alex had successfully started attending Mowden Infant School.

"We are delighted with his progress so far but I don't know if he would have come on so much if he had not been given the support he has," she said.

"The Government says that every child matters - but parents of children with disabilities seem to have to fight very hard for everything. They should be investing in this service."

A spokesman for Darlington Borough Council said the changes were in response to parents asking for year-round support, and the new system would provide more choice and flexibility.

They said all views of everyone involved in the service would be listened to at planned consultation events.

He added: "We are totally committed to the provision of care to those children and young people who require support and the published proposals will most certainly not lead to children being denied access to mainstream education."

Consultation ends on Friday, February 5.