Kids Company children 'will be given support'

Camila Batmanghelidjh confirmed the charity would close

Children in Bristol affected by the closure of the Kids Company charity will be given "appropriate support", the city's mayor has said.

It follows confirmation the charity would close from its founder Camila Batmanghelidjh.

Mayor, George Ferguson, said he would make sure organisations and services work together to help those affected.

Bristol City Council said it had one current contract with the charity to provide education services.

A spokesman said 40 pupils had been receiving help from Kids Company, and the contract was already due to end this month.

The council "has guaranteed that there will be no lapse in service for any pupil".

'Top priority'

Mr Ferguson said: "Nothing is more important than the safety and support of vulnerable young people in Bristol.

"I am making sure that organisations and services across the city are working closely together to provide all appropriate support, prioritising any young people who Kids Company tell us they have concerns about."

John Readman from Bristol City Council said: "Our top priority is to keep providing good quality services to young people and their families, and we're already at work on arrangements where Kids Company have provided young people with a service.

"This is sad news and I have sympathy for everyone involved in Kids Company.

"Locally I would reassure everyone that we are well placed to respond to this loss, both with good quality council provision and a wealth of excellent local organisations which work with young people.

"This will, however, rely on Kids Company providing us with details of the young people they are engaged with."

Kids Company was given a £3m government grant a week ago, despite concerns from the Cabinet Office's lead official.