Statement on Children's Centre Closures In Buckinghamshire

Campaigners fighting to stop the closure of 19 Children’s Centres in Buckinghamshire are seeking permission to take their arguments to the Court of Appeal after a High Court Judgment handed down on 12 July turned down their application for a Judicial Review.

Buckinghamshire County Council decided in March to close 19 of the 35 centres it operates, with the remaining restructured into ‘Family Centres’ offering a different model of provision.

Following this decision, a 32-year-old woman, who has chosen to remain anonymous to protect her children’s privacy, instructed Irwin Mitchell’s specialist Public Law team to investigate. Lawyers applied for a Judicial Review to be held in the High Court into the legality of the decision, and the judgement has now been handed down following a hearing on 2 and 3 July this year.

Expert Opinion

“We are naturally disappointed with the outcome of this Judicial Review and are currently discussing the options with our client including an appeal against the decision.

“Our client brought this case as the children centres in Buckinghamshire have been invaluable to her and her family. She remains of the view that the planned closures will have a major negative impact on her children and others families and young children across Buckinghamshire. We are aware that many families have found the current situation hugely distressing and it is important that their voices have been heard.”
James Betts - Associate Solicitor