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Thurso mum calls for transparency after claiming council is not taking action on respite care





The chairperson of a pressure group to effect changes to respite care in Caithness for parents with special needs children has condemned the council’s decision not to reinstate the services.

Elizabeth Jones from Thurso has two autistic children and chairs a group called Caithness and Sutherland Respite Campaign (CSRC) which seeks to reinstate the services that previously existed in the county.

Elizabeth Jones with her son Ollie in Thurso. Elizabeth is desperate to get respite care for him.
Elizabeth Jones with her son Ollie in Thurso. Elizabeth is desperate to get respite care for him.
Elizabeth Jones wears a T-shirt with the name of her new campaign group on it. Picture supplied
Elizabeth Jones wears a T-shirt with the name of her new campaign group on it. Picture supplied

Mrs Jones said: “Having watched the meeting of full council on May 9, the committee at CSRC is deeply concerned that Councillor Karl Rosie and Highland Council leader Raymond Bremner both voted against two highly pertinent motions affecting Caithness constituents. Namely, a motion by Cllr Jan McEwan MBE to request a full independent review into Avonlea children’s residential home in Wick, and a motion by Cllr Matthew Reiss to reinstate respite care services at Thor House in Thurso.

“How can it be possible that two local Caithness councillors voted against both of these motions, particularly when they are both fully aware of ongoing local campaigns to restore Thor House to its former remit?

“We are suspicious of a political cover-up, so we now call upon Highland Council leader Raymond Bremner to be forthcoming and transparent with the general public about what exactly is the truth behind the closure of respite care services at Thor House and the total closure of Avonlea residential home.

“Rest assured that we won't go away and we won't stop fighting until we receive truthful answers and remedial solutions.”

The former children's home in Wick, Avonlea, which closed in December 2022. Picture: DGS
The former children's home in Wick, Avonlea, which closed in December 2022. Picture: DGS

Respite care was provided at a specially designed unit at Thor House in Thurso until the outbreak of the Covid pandemic. A review was then to be undertaken but when Avonlea children's home was shut in Wick the youngsters there were transferred to Thor House. Highland Council has since said there is no need for a respite unit at the Thurso facility. Avonlea is now earmarked to change from a children's unit to an educational facility.

Wick and East Caithness councillor Raymond Bremner said he intended to speak about the respite care motion put forward at full council last week but was time-barred and had no choice but to comply with the regulations.

He said that if he was able to speak he would have said the following: “The amendment asked council officers to complete their respite review and to report back to the Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Committee. I am keen to ensure that short break provision meets the level of Highland need including that of Caithness, as well as being financially viable, ensuring best value outcomes for both the council and our communities.

Cllr Raymond Bremner, at left, said he was time-barred from addressing the respite motion at full council last week. Picture: Callum Mackay.
Cllr Raymond Bremner, at left, said he was time-barred from addressing the respite motion at full council last week. Picture: Callum Mackay.

“It is really important to recognise that the council has legal obligations to the residents of Thor House. Members of council can’t ignore these duties and the motion appeared to give little, if any, consideration to those duties. The residents of Thor House have legal rights to live there and I, as a member of council, cannot dismiss these, nor should any member override their rights by virtue of a motion to council.”

Cllr Bremner went on to say that a change of use for Thor House should be subject to a number of considerations and detailed assessments that “were not included in the motion to council”.

Ollie with his younger sister who is also being assessed for autism.
Ollie with his younger sister who is also being assessed for autism.

“For example, there was no consideration in the motion of the impact on the current residents of Thor House. This was not only unacceptable to me but had the potential of having irreversible impacts on those residents.

“The desire for certain members to return Thor House to its original use was not based on assessed need or appropriateness. The amendment that was agreed will ensure there is a considered review of short-break provision to establish a service which not only meets the needs of Highland but is also financially viable.

“It is my consideration and belief that, if the motion had been agreed by council, it could have had significant consequences for the young people currently in Thor House as well as potential legal implications for Highland Council.”

Thor House in Thurso formerly provided respite provision.
Thor House in Thurso formerly provided respite provision.

Thurso and Northwest Caithness councillor Karl Rosie said he had met with members of another respite pressure group called Encompass Caithness last week whose members “expressed very powerfully how difficult the situation is for families of children with complex support needs”.

“I fully support the return of respite care services to Caithness and I am pleased that a commitment to that effect is made through the Highland investment plan, which was agreed and I supported at full council last week. I am more than happy to work with Encompass and others at a local level to find a way forward,” said the councillor.

“However, this is a highly sensitive and complex issue involving some of the most vulnerable young people in the Highlands. This has to be done carefully and correctly, and bundling the Thor House issue alongside Avonlea care home is in my view not the right approach.

Thurso and Northwest Caithness councillor Karl Rosie explained his decision at the full council meeting last week. Picture: DGS
Thurso and Northwest Caithness councillor Karl Rosie explained his decision at the full council meeting last week. Picture: DGS

“Avonlea closed following a very serious inspection report and as councillors, we were all made aware of the terrible issues affecting it, including child protection and county lines. Furthermore, the motion discussed reverting Thor House to its original use despite there being residents there now – I can't imagine how they must have felt to have their futures discussed in a political forum like that.

“For those reasons, I felt the motion was not the right course of action and I could not support it.”

Cllr Rosie urges his colleagues in the Caithness wards who supported the motion to come together alongside the campaigners and find an appropriate way forward. “This is too important an issue to be hijacked by political point scoring and on this, as with so many other local issues, we need to start working together.”

Meanwhile, Cllr Bremner said that he has local meetings planned to see how the matter can be progressed to provide the best care solutions.


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