Irwin Mitchell’s specialised Public Law & Human Rights solicitors has helped campaigners gain a decision that prevents a reduction in front line service at 'Your Choice Barnet'.
Your Choice Barnet provides social care services to disabled adults in Barnet, is a subsidiary of The Barnet Group Ltd, a trading company wholly owned by the London Borough of Barnet. A decision was made to set up the trading company in April 2012, which was controversial and heavily criticised at the time. This would involve merging a number of services which would lead to cutting front-line staff and downgrading some front-line roles.
This reduction would severely effect a number of users and would result in drastically decreasing their quality of life.
Concerned users decided to contact Irwin Mitchell’s specialised Public Law & Human Rights team and one of our experienced solicitors, Anne-Marie Irwin, was able to deal with their case. Anne-Marie was able to challenge the cuts by writing to the council to request a rethink, by explaining that any cut would have a negative impact on their quality of life.
Fortunately, Your Choice Barnet has confirmed that they have agreed to back down on the proposed changes. They admitted that they “underestimated the impact” the proposal would have on their service users.
Anne-Marie Irwin, an expert public lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: "It’s a major relief for our clients that the council has decided to keep both centres open, and will look to re-consult on the staffing changes.
"However, the campaign does not stop here, as Your Choice Barnet has confirmed that it is still contemplating making some changes to services. We await with interest the new consultation on how families will be affected by changes and the alternative arrangements proposed by the Council’s trading company, Your Choice Barnet.
"If the new consultation is considered to be unlawful, our clients may well have no option but to take further legal action in relation to these cuts to care services."
For expert advice on matters relating to community care law, please contact Anne-Marie Irwin of Irwin Mitchell's Public Law & Human Rights team on 0370 1500 100 or complete our enquiry form.
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