A family whose daughter was receiving respite care from Waltham Forest Council has accused the authority of lying about its respite care provision.

After closing Trumpington Road care home for vulnerable adults in June 2018, the council issued a statement last week stating it wished to reassure the public that all families previously receiving care at the centre had been found alternative arrangements.

But the George family of Walthamstow dispute this, claiming they have received no respite care from the council since July 2018.

Peter and Shirley George, whose 30-year-old daughter Vicky has challenging behaviour, were outraged by the council’s statement.

Mr George said: “The council is lying to the public, we have had no respite care provision for five months. It is just wrong, isn’t it? They have sent us to other places but the last respite care we had was in July 2018.”

At first, the authority suggested sending Vicky to Green Lodge in Redbridge, but Mr George said the centre staff could not cope with her needs.

Vicky apparently broke one member of staff’s finger after it was wagged in her face.

The family claims the council then suggested an alternative respite care centre at Blossom House in Forest Gate.

The family was happy with sending their daughter to the centre, which they felt met all of her needs.

The care service providers at Blossom House were also said to be happy with the arrangements, but Mr George claims Waltham Forest Council pulled out of the plans at last minute, saying it could not afford to pay for Vicky’s care there.

Mr George, 64, said: “Blossom House was fantastic, it is a day centre and that is what it is all about. Vicky needs something to keep her occupied during the day and after visiting the centre she started asking when can she go on holiday there.”

The family say they have had to manage Vicky’s expectations after being let down at last minute and were left frustrated at the council’s decision.

Mr George questions why things progressed to the stage they did before the council made a financial assessment of the provision.

Mr George said it is lucky Vicky is in a good place mentally now, or the lack of respite care for five months would have proved too much for the family.

The family is off to look at alternative care centres later today, chosen from a list provided by the council.

A council spokesperson said: “Since 2011 the council has lost over half its funding from central Government, a total of just short of £100m. At the same time, council expenditure has increased by nearly £60m as the demand on the services we deliver increases. We must balance providing essential support for vulnerable residents with our duties to deliver the day-to-day services on which all residents rely.

“Preliminary costs were investigated with providers, as they are in all cases; however, these do not reflect complex individual needs and so these initial cost estimates can rise significantly.

“The council has arranged two further potential placements for this family, and will keep in close contact with the family to get their feedback and support them in ensuring appropriate alternative respite care is sourced to effectively meet the needs of both the family and the service user.

“The council wish to reassure the family that they are committed to working with them to achieve a positive resolution to this issue.

"We call on the government to take urgent action to address the crisis in social care that affects families all across the country – not just in Waltham Forest.”