A vital support service for vulnerable Ayrshire families has been saved in a dramatic U-turn by council chiefs.
Children 1st in Girvan has been rescued after health and social care bosses opted to renew its contract for one more year.
The charity lead the running of an essential lifeline service to children and their families from Girvan Primary School.
The service has been praised for protecting children from from "abuse, neglect and harm," whilst also offering families financial support amidst the cost of living crisis.
But last week the future of the vital service was hanging in the balance.
Ayrshire Live told how the service was placed "under review", leaving families devastated.
Desperate parents rallied together and created an online petition in a bid to save Children 1st in Girvan.
The petition rocketed to 329 signatures who backed the move to salvage the service.
Shattered parents said the move would be "catastrophic" with many families building relationships with incredible Children 1st staff.
Now we can reveal that the South Ayrshire Health & Social Care Partnership have agreed to renew the contract for another year.
A spokesperson for the South Ayrshire Health & Social Care Partnership said: "Having taken the opportunity to review the delivery of Family Services in Girvan and the current provision by Children 1st.
"The South Ayrshire Health & Social Care Partnership have decided to continue to fund Children 1st Family Welling for a further year.
"We are grateful to Children 1st for their continued partnership as we work together to provide family supports to families in Girvan and South Carrick."
Charity bosses have hailed the decision to keep Children 1st in Girvan at a time when families are under "incredible pressure."
Fiona McBride, Assistant Director Children and Families Services, Children 1st said: "After listening to the views of families in Carrick the South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership will extend the contract with Children 1st to offer family support in Girvan for another year.
“The support Children 1st offer locally has been continually shaped by children and families to make sure it meets their needs.
"At a time when families are under incredible pressure, Children 1st Carrick is at the heart of the community offering support with the most pressing issues families face including food and fuel poverty, isolation, mental health and trauma.
“We look forward to continuing this work with families and the Health and Social Care Partnership to make sure that the community continue to get support designed around what they want and need to keep children and their families safe, well and together.”
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