WILTSHIRE Council has organised a meeting for parents/ carers of learning disabled children and young people in Salisbury on June 30 at Sarum College in The Close from 10am to 2pm, to discuss provision for overnight short breaks.

Lunch will be provided.

I am very anxious that all such parents hear about this as then they can put forward their views about the care they would like in place for their children, now and in the future.

This could be in the form of residential respite care or specialist foster carers etc.

Wiltshire Council is going to be actively asking for parents'

views at this meeting so I am writing this letter in order to let these parents know.

I have been involved for nearly a year now - with others - over the proposed closure of Hillcote Respite Care Home and this appears to be going ahead in April 2015. Once it is closed the only alternative for residential care will be Canons House, Devizes, which will have limited capacity for south Wiltshire children.

Wiltshire Council plans to offer specialist foster carers locally but are not currently considering a smaller residential unit in or near Salisbury.

Parents need to let Wiltshire Council know what respite care support they would like to be available for their child, and I am assured that in turn the council is keen to hear these views directly.

Dr Angela Scott, Salisbury