A SERVICE which cares for vulnerable and at risk children and teenagers is facing an uncertain future.

A small team which provides mental health support across West Sussex for children in foster care or who have been adopted is being disbanded over the next six months.

The Shoreham-based mental health workers also support the families of the children being looked after as well as those in residential care.

Some of the children the staff help have previously experienced serious abuse or neglect.

Some have been traumatised in the past and are at a very high risk or self-harm, substance abuse and severe and enduring mental health problems.

There are up to ten members of the team, which is called Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Looked After and Adopted Children.

They were told before Christmas that West Sussex County Council funding for the service in its current form is to be wound down.

It is not yet known how it will be replaced.

The decision has raised concerns about the impact the changes could have on the children themselves and the adults who look after them.

Some have been traumatised in the past and are at a very high risk or self-harm, substance abuse and severe and enduring mental health problems.

One person who contacted The Argus said the news was likely to devastate the families who have relied on the support of the team, which has been running for for more than 15 years.

They said: “This decision, if allowed, could have a profound and catastrophic impact on hundreds of exceptionally vulnerable children and young people.”

The service is provided by the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and commissioned by the council.

A council spokeswoman said: “We are reviewing the emotional and mental health services provided to adopted children and children in care.

“A decision is currently being made and we will be able to reveal more details in the next few weeks.

“The intention is to have a new model of service in place by June 2016.

“We would like to reassure children and families receiving the current service that this will continue as before.”