A Kingston and Richmond based charity has announced it is closing next month, citing a lack of will among decision makers to listen to parent voices.

SEND Family Voices, which has acted as a parent and carer community support group since 2014, released a statement last week to announce that its last day of operations would be on October 1.

The statement read: “Unfortunately, we have come to the conclusion that, in this climate of austerity, there is either no will or no capacity amongst decision makers to really listen to and respond to parent voices.

“We hoped that by bringing the parent voice into the heart of decision-making, systemic change for the better would follow. This has not happened.”

SEND Family Voices said they gave up the Department for Education parent carer participation grant earlier this year to remain independent from Achieving for Children (AfC), which oversees children’s services across Richmond and Kingston.

The statement reads: “Earlier in the year AfC refused to sign off our funding application until we met with them to discuss principles.

“We felt that Achieving for Children wanted to use such a meeting to exert control over what we do and say.

“We had no option but to step away from the funding so as to preserve our absolute independence. We intended to continue as a community support group.”

Robert Henderson, chief executive of Achieving for Children, said: “I am sad and disappointed that SEND Family Voices have decided to cease operating.

"Over the past four years, they have made an invaluable impact on the lives of local families and children with special educational needs and disabilities."

Cllr Diane White, portfolio holder for children's services, said: "We would like to thank SEND Family Voices for the support they have given to children with special educational needs and disabilities and their families over the last four years.

"The volunteers have worked tirelessly representing the views of parents and have made a lasting difference.

"We want to continue to work in partnership with parents, children and young people, so that we can consult and gather their views to help shape future services."