SPOTLIGHT
Shelved 400px

What now for deprivations of liberty?

What will the effect of the postponement of the Liberty Protections Safeguards be on local authorities? Local Government Lawyer asked 50 adult social care lawyers for their views on the potential consequences.

London borough faces legal action over plan to close respite centre

The London Borough of Waltham Forest is facing a legal challenge over proposals to close a respite centre at the end of the month.

Catherine Tokens, the mother of a severely disabled man, Paul, from East London, has instructed law firm Irwin Mitchell on legal proceedings over the Trumpington Road Respite Centre.

According to the law firm, the council's decision to close the centre was made following a recommendation in a report which included assertions that alternative placements had been identified for those who require respite care. It also stated that support had been found for those needing the highest level of care, including Paul Tokens.

However, the law firm said that its lawyers “understand this is not the case and are arguing that the decision to close is therefore based on an ‘error of fact’.”

It is also claimed that the decision was “taken without enough information about alternative placements being available” and that Waltham Forest had failed to reassess the needs of those who attend the respite centre.

Irwin Mitchell lawyer Mathieu Culverhouse, who is representing the Tokens family, said: “The Trumpington Road Respite Centre provides vital support to a number of very vulnerable individuals and the site’s closure will cause huge upheaval to a great number of lives.

“After reviewing the facts, we are very concerned by how the decision to close the centre was reached and believe that it is something that requires much greater legal scrutiny. This centre has played a vital role in the local community for a number of years and its closure may have a significant knock-on effect for those who are reliant on its services.”