Social care charity Quarriers has confirmed that it will be closing a school and two children’s homes which could result in 69 job losses.

The Scottish charity proposed the closures back in January, citing a lack of demand as the main reason. Quarriers said that although a number of alternatives were considered, they have been unable to put Seafield School on a sustainable financial footing.

Alice Drife, Quarriers acting chief executive since Paul Moore resigned in February, said: “After carefully considering a number of alternative options for Seafield School in Ardrossan and two children’s homes – Merton House in Largs and Williamfield in Irvine – we are reluctantly announcing the closure of the three services.

“We do understand this will be a difficult time for everyone associated with the services.”

The two children’s homes support some of the residential pupils at Seafield School so therefore will also close.

The closure of these services means 69 jobs could be lost, however Drife said: “The charity has a policy of redeploying staff and every effort will be made to support all staff at Seafield, Merton House and Williamfield to find other opportunities within the charity or externally.”

It is forecast that Seafield School will have a deficit of £400,000 at the end of the financial year in March as a result of the number of children and young people at the school falling. Drife has said the charity is unable to absorb these losses.

A spokesman of the charity, which in 2013 had an income of over £45m, said he expected the closures to happen sometime after June when the Scottish school year ends, however this is dependent on staffing issues.

Drife added: “Quarriers would not have made this decision if there had been a viable alternative.”

Quarriers Seaford, based in Ayrshire, provides care and teaching for young people with complex learning difficulties.