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Jersey families with children with learning difficulties are reaching crisis point because of a lack of respite services.

Sharon Eddie, headteacher of Mont a L'abbe, told a panel care shortages meant staff also had to provide support outside school hours.

The Health, Social Security and Housing Scrutiny Panel is examining the issue.

Deputy Kristina Moore said time off was essential when looking after a child with complex conditions.

Ms Eddie told the hearing on Monday that social workers and respite homes do the best they can with the resources they have.

But she said often it was like "robbing Peter to pay Paul" with services being diverted to deal with crises within some families.

She said the lack of support for struggling parents often meant the family reached crisis point.

The headteacher also highlighted a lack of places for older children to go once they leave Mont a L'abbe which meant some going into permanent care at respite homes and a couple recently having to go to the UK.

Mont a L'abbe school teaches 90 children, from the age of three to 19, with a range of learning difficulties.