Severely disabled daughter had faced leaving much-loved unit

A mother is delighted after her wish for her severely disabled daughter to remain at her respite care centre was granted after the Times highlighted her plight.

Last week, the Times reported that Deborah Swift’s daughter Toni may have been forced to move from Valley Way House in Barnet due to funding cuts be Brent Council.

However, the council have now agreed to let her stay.

Miss Swift, who lives in Kingsbury, said the news came as a great relief after many sleepless nights.

She said: “It’s a massive relief, I’ve spent the last few months not knowing what is happening and I’m hugely relieved she is able to stay.”

Toni, 28 will now be entitled to a further 19 nights of respite care at Valley Way House between now and March.

Miss Swift said: “They [Valley Way] are absolutely delighted with the news, they love her there and she loves them.

For the last 6 years Miss Swifts daughter Toni was entitled to 60 nights per year of care.

However, the council informed the 52-year-old that this must be cut to 40 nights per year at a cheaper centre than Valley Way House.

In order to prevent her daughter from having to move Miss Swift offered to cut the care to 30 nights per year and as The Times went to press last week it was unknown if this would be granted.

However, despite her wish being accepted Miss Swift was still angry at the events and that her daughters care has been slashed in half as a result.

She said: “It’s a shame that so many nights have been taken off, but that’s the financial climate we are in.

“More than anything I’m relieved that I don’t have to deal with the stress of finding Toni a new place to go and I can sleep easy knowing she is happy.”

A spokeswoman for Brent Council said: “We are always willing to work constructively with individuals and families to resolve issues. It is entirely up to individuals whether they wish to contact the press; however, this does not have a bearing on the outcome as decisions are always based on our statutory responsibilities and the needs of the individual”.