IT has provided essential specialist care for autistic children and their families for more than 40 years.

But the only school in Hampshire specifically catering for youngsters with the condition could close within months after the charity that runs it said it is losing too much money.

Devastated parents and staff at Hope Lodge School in Southampton are now launching a campaign to persuade bosses at Hampshire Autistic Society (HAS) not to axe it.

Up to 140 jobs could be lost if the facility for five to 16-year-olds closes, while the families of 28 pupils will face the prospect of putting their children through the traumatic turmoil of moving schools.

But already fears have been raised there is simply nowhere else that can provide the same level of support for youngsters with autism and Asperger Syndrome.

Charity bosses insist no decision has yet been made on closing Hope Lodge, but worried opponents say they believe HAS chiefs have already made up their minds, with no other options having been put forward for a consultation which runs until April 20.

The society said the school in Midanbury Lane is projected to make an “unsustainable” loss of £475,000 this year, and that the “best case scenario” would see it take up to seven years to break even.

But a source close to the school, whose identity the Daily Echo is protecting, said shutting it would be disastrous.

They said: “This is just about the worst possible thing the society could have done.

“Hope Lodge was set up by a group of parents who couldn’t get provision because there wasn’t anywhere particular for children with autism.

“The school should come first. It was the flagship, it was the starting point.

“People have had nowhere to turn to, and it’s given them space to get their lives and families back on track. I know quite a few stories where Hope Lodge has really saved the whole family.

“Children in the school will have to be transferred and that will be very hard. Autistic children don’t like change – they’re really vulnerable.”

They added: “And what about the experience that we’re going to lose? It’s been a bolt from the blue for everybody. All the parents are gobsmacked.

“There have to be more options than saying the school is going to close – things such as making it a free school or possibly amalgamating with another charity that could step in to help run it – but I think their minds are made up.”

HAS said it believes falling pupil numbers have been caused partly by moves towards more inclusive policies within mainstream schools, Hope Lodge only being graded as “satisfactory” by Ofsted, and pressure on local authority special needs education budgets.

The school has had three head teachers in just two years, and the charity also said its “long-standing difficulty” recruiting a strong leadership team had added to its problems.

In a proposal document, HAS said a feasibility study showed as well as costing at least £1m before it breaks even again, the school would need new premises “to compete with other providers”, which would cost up to another £6m.

The society said after “deep thought” those costs mean it has had to propose closing Hope Lodge, while continuing to offer education facilities for over-16s.

Its proposal reads: “It is very sad that the society is faced with the need to consider this alternative service model.

“However, the society has to try and adapt to the circumstances that it is faced with, to ensure that it is not forced out of existence.”

Chief executive Andrew Monaghan said there was an opportunity for alternatives to closing Hope Lodge to be considered.

He said: “No decision has been made. The consultation period is ongoing until April, and a decision is due to be made after that. The proposal says that people can make suggestions to us.”