Jane Launchbury (Letters, November 15) is right to say The Children's Society's St Gabriel's project in Brighton will end in March 2004, after 24 years.

She does not, however, mention that the society will continue to serve the needs of children and their families in the area through our Brighton-based Portage Early Years Support and First Stop Community Safety projects.

Child protection work, which is the statutory responsibility of Brighton and Hove City Council, will also continue.

Ms Launchbury incorrectly states that there was no consultation with the council. Furthermore, the society was willing to continue funding the project until March 2005, allowing more time to agree about alternative services, but it was clear there was not a shared view about the future direction for the services.

As a voluntary organisation, the society continually reviews its work. This includes making difficult decisions about how we can make the biggest impact on the lives of those children most in need and where there is the greatest need for our work.

We will continue to work with the council to ensure, where possible, families in the area continue to receive the high quality services that St Gabriel's provided.

-Penny Dean director for children and young people, The Children's Society, Margery Street, London