Legal action taken by families over closure of day centre

Parents of adult children who attend a day centre facing closure are taking legal measures to prevent it from shutting down. Buckinghamshire Council has announced plans to close the Burnham centre near Slough as part of a broader reorganisation of services for adults with complex needs.

Campaigners are pursuing a judicial review of the council's decision and seeking an injunction to stop the closure until the legal proceedings are completed. The council stated that the decision was made following democratic procedures and emphasized that it is collaborating with the families affected.

In September, councillors voted to close both the Burnham centre and another facility in High Wycombe. They also agreed to convert a similar centre in Buckingham into a college for individuals with special educational needs.

Lesley Honey-Green's 38-year-old daughter, Jeni, attends the Burnham centre for six hours daily, providing her mother with respite. Ms Honey-Green expressed concern about her daughter being placed in an unfamiliar environment, saying that new staff might lack the experience to manage her needs effectively. Jeni has been offered a place at Seeley's day centre in Beaconsfield, but travel difficulties make this a challenging option for her.

Hazel Howe, whose son Thomas has severe epilepsy and profound disabilities, has relied on the centre for 13 years. She stated that they have engaged legal counsel to pursue both a judicial review and an injunction to prevent the council from relocating staff and service users. She criticized councillors for not personally engaging with the families or understanding the unique needs of their loved ones.

Isobel Darby, Buckinghamshire Council's cabinet member for health and wellbeing, commented that the council cannot discuss ongoing legal matters. She affirmed that changes to the day centres followed a comprehensive and transparent democratic process, including a 15-week public consultation involving those affected and other stakeholders. Families and carers have been contacted individually by social workers to discuss alternative care options.

Author: Connor Blake