Arundel and South Down MP, Andrew Griffith, has welcomed a decision by the Chief Executive Officer of HFT in Walberton to halt their planned closure calling their initial plans “rash and selfish”.
28 people with special needs live at HFT in Walberton and were about to be displaced following HFT’s decision to permanently close the home, with just three months’ notice given. 13 of those residents are funded by West Sussex County Council. 19 others have been impacted by the closure of the day service run on the same site.
Andrew Griffith has been deeply concerned by what the closure would mean for those needing to find new specialist care residences. Many families of the residents had written to him directly to share their anguish about having their family members moved a considerable distance away in order to receive the same level of care.
The MP raised those concerns with West Sussex County Council and received assurances that they were working to achieve the best possible outcome.
HFT’s latest announcement means that they will now have to fully consult with all the families, Commissioners and stakeholders, and that no decision on its future can be taken until the process has been concluded.
Andrew Griffith said:
“This was a hard-won reprieve for the many residents who have called Home Farm Trust their home for many years. The decision taken by the owners in July was a rash and selfish decision that failed to consider the specialist needs of those in their care. The impact on the families has been considerable and I hope they will make their feelings known through the consultation which HFT will now have to run. The families have my full support.”
