SOCIAL Services have been accused of being 'unhelpful and insensitive' following their reaction to a plea for financial help to assist an Okehampton cerebral palsy sufferer.

Michael Allen said he had appealed for a small contribution from Social Services towards a stairclimber for his 34-year-old son Richard. The aid had cost more than £4,000 but he had been told there was no money in their budgets for 'that sort of thing'.

'They are aware that Richard has to be fed and changed like a child, cannot talk or even sit up by himself and has to be carried everywhere his wheelchair won't go,' he said. 'But they felt unable to help us in any way other than to suggest he should live in a bungalow.'

Mr Allen said he understood that money was available for fixed chairlifts but he had gone for a free standing device so he did not have to 'rip his house apart'.

'We do not want to bash and crash around the house — this is a much simpler way of doing things and a cheaper way.

'The stairclimber is also portable and so could be used in the respite homes where Richard goes. It would save Social Services money in the long run.'

The quote to install a chairlift was £10,000, he said.

Before purchasing the aid, Mr Allen and his wife had carried Richard up the stairs but they were both getting older and their son was quite a 'hefty weight'.

'We do get a lot of help with Richard, particularly from The Leaze special care unit which he attends daily.' added Mr Allen. 'But the unhelpfulness, lack of sensitivity and understanding shown by Social Services does them no credit.'

A spokesperson for Devon County Council said social services would always inspect and advise clients and their families on properties and facilities that met the specific needs of disabled family members, including prior to a house purchase.

'Whilst we are not able to comment on individual cases, we can and do assess the appropriateness of items such as stairlifts, and make recommendations to the district council who offer financial support through a disability facilities grant,' he said.

He added that stairclimbers were not a system approved by the NHS.