OVER the past few weeks my inbox has been filling up with emails from families concerned by Newport Council’s decision to pull out of the Gwent-wide service for children with a sensory impairment, known as SenCom.

It is a decision that has deeply concerned me, too.

The SenCom service, which is hosted by Torfaen council but funded by all five Gwent local authorities, supports children aged 0 to 19-years-old with hearing, sight or language impairments in Newport, Monmouthshire, Torfaen, Caerphilly County Borough and Blaenau Gwent.

It also provides pre- and after-school clubs, help and advice from birth, digital access skills, and support to parents.

I visited the SenCom base in Cwmbran recently and was very impressed by both the commitment and the levels of specialism of the staff who work there.

It is a fantastic resource with tailor-made facilities for kids with a sensory impairment.

Which is why Newport’s decision to pull out of the regionally-based resource for cost-cutting reasons is so concerning.

I do not believe that Newport will be able to replicate this wonderful resource and service that was funded by a Welsh Government grant to encourage regional working.

That is why I have raised the issue, in particular my concerns this decision seems to have been taken without consultation with the families or an equality impact assessment, in the Senedd, through the pages of this newspaper and with the Children’s Commissioner.

I am deeply concerned that Newport’s withdrawal will destabilise services for a very disadvantaged group of children and young people who are currently receiving a high-quality specialist service.

That is why I welcomed the recent news of a legal challenge even if I did regret Newport Council making it necessary for the family of a blind, severely disabled child to take this action to protect a service that he and many other vulnerable children rely on.

I would urge Newport Council to change its mind.

It’s not too late for Newport Council to do the right thing and reverse this decision.

These children should not be paying the price for austerity.