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One of the county's biggest children's charities, PARC Essex, has suddenly closed its services with immediate effect.

PARC was founded by a group of parents in someone's back garden in 1995.

It's primarily a play and respite centre for youngsters with disabilities and special educational needs, and supports more than 500 families in Essex and Suffolk, employing 65 people.

Essex County Council says it had to terminate its contract with PARC after the charity notified them that they could no longer fulfil the contract.

In its most recent Ofsted inspection in March, officers found safeguarding and welfare concerns, and served what's called a "welfare requirements notice".

Despite this, a petition protesting against the closure has collected more than 2,600 signatures.

´óÏó´«Ã½ Essex speaks to Francesca Byers and Shelly Fordham, who both have sons who attend PARC sessions, Abi Stanley from Braintree who's worked at PARC for more than a year, and Councillor Beverley Egan, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Early Years.

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