FAMILIES who struggle to cope with children with special needs have been offered help caring for them during the school holidays.

A £33,000 funding package for a three-year playscheme has been provided by the Little Hulton and Farnworth Partnership and Salford Council.

The project -- based at the Little Hulton Community School -- will provide activities and trips for children aged four to 12-years-old.

Gail McNally, children's development officer at Salford's Early Years Play and Child Care Team, said the playscheme would be a big help to struggling families.

She said: "The playschemes help large families who can't devote much time to one individual child who has special needs.

"In holiday time this can put terrible stress on the whole family and sometimes results in the child being placed in temporary care, which is heartbreaking for the family and a financial strain on our budget."

Under the scheme, social workers, health visitors, teachers and GPs can refer children onto the holiday playscheme which will cater for 15 children split into two groups.

It will include both children with specific emotional and educational needs and others who are physically disabled.

Activities will be sports and arts orientated including theme days and trips.

It will encourage children to develop their personal and social skills as well as healthy eating.

Ms McNally added: "Although the children arrive with a variety of difficulties, working in small group activities has a very positive impact on their behaviour and development in so many ways.

"The 10am to 4pm routine means that they make an easy move back into school life once term begins again."

Cllr John Merry, joint chairman of the partnership's committee, also welcomed the scheme.

It will run for up to 15 weeks a year covering school holidays.