Detailed proposals to cut nearly £28 million from Birmingham’s children's services have been revealed.
The savings – which come as Birmingham City Council looks to save £407 million over the next four years – could include closing “under-used” respite homes for disabled children and youth service job cuts.
Bosses are looking to savings of up to £27.7 million across the children, young people and families portfolio during 2012/13, with public consultation ending on January 8.
The possible reductions were outlined in a report by Eleanor Brazil, Birmingham’s transitional director for the services.
She told a meeting of the council’s children and education overview and scrutiny committee: “None of us wants to be in the position where we are talking about redundancies to resources for children.
“However, we need to recognise the financial position of the authority as a whole. Our directorate cannot be separate to that and we must be part of it.”
The report reads: “One option is to no longer resource and invest in residential homes used for respite which are currently under-used and to secure short breaks and family support that better meets the needs of families.
“This would result in some residential homes closing.”
But that scenario sparked a strong reaction from parents whose children use respite homes like Charles House in West Heath, which families are trying to save from the axe.
Campaigner Karl Phillips, whose 12-year-old son Owen attends Charles House, said: “I’m furious.
“I’m concerned for the future of our children as kids like ours have to fight to get any sort of provision from social care.”
A Birmingham City Council spokesman insisted no final decisions would be made ahead of the closing of the council-wide consultation on January 8.
And he stressed that no individual children’s respite homes were specifically identified in the budget proposal document.
