On 7 May 2020 the judgment in the OA v London Borough of Bexley case was handed down. Although the claim for judicial review was dismissed, the Judge made a number of useful comments relating to the exercise of local authorities powers under section 17(3)...
Almost a month after schools closed their doors, the government announced a ‘major package to support online learning’ by providing laptops and internet access to disadvantaged children. Despite the claim that this support will “enable all children to continue learning now”, in fact only care-leavers,...
Matthew Gold & Co have successfully settled a claim for damages brought by a female former prisoner against the Ministry of Justice after she was groomed and sexually abused by a male prison officer. Our client, Ms P, was very vulnerable on her arrival at the...
On 27 April 2020 the UK Government announced a life assurance scheme under which the families of eligible frontline health and care staff in England who die from coronavirus will be entitled to a £60,000 payment. The details of the scheme are so far minimal, but...
The Coronavirus Act 2020 brought in the right for Local Authorities to cease operating to fulfil their normal statutory duties towards disabled people and their carers, known as an ‘easement’ of their Care Act obligations. These changes could have a serious impact on the assessment...
In response to the increased demands and pressures faced by Local Authorities amidst the coronavirus pandemic, the Government has published guidance outlining its advice to Local Authorities regarding Children's Social Care. What does the guidance cover? The guidance is aimed at Local Authorities ("LAs"), those with corporate...
On Tuesday 28 April the High Court will hear the case of a 16 year old child who claims he cannot meet his basic living needs because Bexley Council refuse to also provide support to account for his 19 year old brother. The case will...
On 20 April 2020 the Government published guidance confirming the temporary extension of free school meals eligibility during the Covid-19 crisis to certain families with no recourse to public funds. The guidance can be found here and here. The extension of eligibility was made in response...
In response to MG&Co’s letter threatening judicial review on behalf of six children, the Secretary of State for Education has agreed to extend free school meal entitlement during the current Covid-19 crisis. The original eligibility criteria required parents to be claiming certain welfare benefits. It therefore...
The Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson announced that “no child should go hungry as a result of measures introduced to keep people at home”. To meet that aim the government issued guidance providing that schools should continue to provide meals or vouchers for eligible children whilst...
The Claimant, a vulnerable minor, was excluded from attending the premises of a significant number of local businesses who were members of the area’s Crime Reduction Partnership, the BCRP. The BCRP and Sussex Police had an agreement to share information about suspected offenders pursuant to which...
MG&Co represented a vulnerable and homeless 6 month old baby and his mother in an urgent judicial review challenge to a local authority’s refusal to provide support pending completion of an assessment of the child’s needs under section 17 of the Children Act 1989. The family...