A question mark hangs over the future of children's support services after it emerged Oxfordshire County Council might not receive key Government funding.

Respite services for children with disabilities and programmes which support young carers would be two of the schemes affected if a £500,000 carers' grant is not given to the county council by central Government.

The council will be told the department's decision in October.

The council had feared that other services including youth offending and personal health and social education were also at risk, but funding has now been provided.

Andy Couldrick, head of early years and family support at the county council, said his team must now wait to hear the outcome of the carers' grant.

He said it would be "foolish" for the council not to plan for the worst, but it remained optimistic of receiving the funds and was "hoping for the best".

He said: "This money provides funding to enable us to offer a range of services for people who have significant caring responsibilities.

"If we do not receive the money there would be a risk of having to reduce the range of services the council provides to carers.

"The services are of vital importance and help young people who act as carers to family members as well as providing respite services for children with disabilities."

The carers' grant is subject to assessment as part of a current Government spending review.