Anglicare Sydney today announced that an in-principle agreement had been reached with the NSW Government on the future of the education and residential services for students of Kingsdene Special School and their families.

As has been previously announced, Anglicare will close Kingsdene at the end of 2010.

However, now two NSW Government Departments - Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC) and the Department of Education and Training (DET) - will provide surety for families currently at the school by taking over services from end of this year until the end of 2012.

Anglicare Sydney CEO Peter Kell today welcomed this move.

"Our ongoing concern about the change has been the long term welfare for these children and their families," Mr Kell said.

"These children have significant and complex needs which require intensive support services and long term, viable educational and accommodation options," he added.

Under the agreement ADHC will re-auspice the residential service for a two year period and DET will assume responsibility for the school.

Anglicare have agreed to lease the existing site to the government for a two year period.

"We have been given an assurance that at the end of 2012, all current students will have been provided with medium to long term care, and where relevant educational services," said Mr Kell.

"We will work closely with the Government, families and staff for the remainder of the year, to ensure a smooth transition for all involved.”