A HOME for severely disabled young people in Salisbury is to close its doors for good, leaving the future unclear for its residents.

The Douglas Arter Centre is set to close on March 24, 2015.

The centre has been home for years to nine residents with a range of severe disabilities.

It is well-known for the high-quality of personal care for severely handicapped residents, many of whom have lived there since they were children.

They have their own rooms and shared areas to socialise with friends or take part in events or activities.

But local councillor and Labour Party parliamentary candidate Tom Corbin says families of those affected by the closure are worried about the future for their loved ones.

He said: “They are also worried about expressing their fears because of possible repercussions if they kick up a fuss. They fear they might not get the best support possible in finding new residences.”

The DAC is one of several such residential centres across the south being closed by disability charity Scope.

Mr Corbin said “The residents are the biggest victims in this change. Many will take more than a year to adapt to the changes that are being forced upon them.

There are still many unanswered questions.

“There is a real risk that these people could end up occupying hospital beds if a suitable provision is not found.

“I also raised this in my role as a city councillor for Bemerton Ward and had a resolution passed calling upon both Wiltshire Council and Wiltshire CCG Clinical Commissioning Group to ensure there was not a gap in services.

“The Wiltshire Council response was wishy-washy and CCG has not responded.”

Richard Hawkes, chief executive of Scope, said: “We don’t believe it is possible to offer those who live there as much choice and control over their daily lives as is now possible in modern social care services. “It’s an old-fashioned 1970s care home, where it’s really difficult for residents to have privacy – they have to share a bathroom, they can’t use their own kitchen and they don’t have any rights as tenants.

“It’s on a hospital site, in an isolated location, which makes it very difficult for people to be part of an ordinary local community.

“Scope reviewed all of its care homes last year, to see which ones need to change.

We want to raise expectations when it comes to disability and we want the care homes we run to reflect this.

“We have a plan that has worked before to support each resident to work with their local authority, to make a choice about where they will live that meets their needs and wishes.

“We know that change can be unsettling and although we are totally committed to supporting each person to find a new home, the next few months may be an anxious time for everyone involved.”