First Step will be consulting with families to discuss how to support the siblings of the children the charity helps.

Bosses at the Hornchurch-based charity said they were looking at different ways to help families and about setting up a parents’ forum following funding cuts this year.

Tricia Cowdrey, CEO, said in addition to the specialist pre-school provision to children with special needs of disabilities they also support families and provide advice, information, guidance and counselling.

She added: “We are currently undertaking a consultation about the needs of the brothers and sisters of children with special needs and/or disabilities, as our funding in this area has been drastically reduced and we are exploring creative ways of responding to their needs.

“We are also hoping to develop a parent/carers’ forum, where parents and carers are fully involved in the design, delivery and evaluation of our services.

“We are working hard to become sustainable and have been extremely fortunate to recruit some very committed volunteers.”

She said they hope to include more opportunities for volunteers and ask those who are interested to sign up via their website address www.firststep.org.uk