The cuts involve a reduction in overtime, training and equipment budgets as well as recruitment and buying in additional specialist support.

The move is part of council-wide cuts, with councillors looking to slash its total budget by 40 per cent over the next four years.

Councillor Ebrahim Adia, Bolton’s executive member for children’s services, said: "Due to the global recession and the government’s plans to reduce the budget deficit outlined in the emergency budget, we anticipate that the grants we receive from the government will significantly reduce.

"We are determined to continue to provide a good service for the borough’s children with disabilities, and to make sure that our carers are supported in their roles."

Among those to be consulted will be children with disabilities and their families, staff and unions.

Every Disabled Child Matters is due to launch a report next week on the effect of government cuts on children’s disabilities services.

Laura Courtney, campaign manager at Every Disabled Child Matters, says that cuts to disability services for children are happening across the UK.

She added: "What we are finding is that too often these cuts are being made without consultation and in anticipation of government cuts that have not yet happened and may not happen."