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,...
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 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 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...
The Maughan hearing will be live-streamed from court room 2, you can access the broadcast from here: https://www.supremecourt.uk/live/court-02.html Key information On 26 and 27 February 2020 the Supreme Court will decide what is the standard of proof for finding a short form and narrative conclusion of suicide. The...
Background We recently acted for a vulnerable young adult who had been assessed by his local authority as having adoption support needs and required psycho-therapy as a result. His local authority made an application to the Adoption Support Fund (“ASF”), a scheme run by the Department for...
Secretary of State for Education extends eligibility for free nursery places for 2 year olds in No Recourse to Public Funds ('NRPF') households following successful judicial review challenge Background In 2014 the government introduced an entitlement to free early education places for two years olds from low-income...
Following a claim for judicial review the Secretary of State for Education has confirmed that many more 2-year-olds from the poorest families will be entitled to a free nursery place. In 2014 the government announced funding for a ‘fairness premium’ which entitled all disadvantaged 2-year-olds to...
Justine Pierce’s son has attention deficit disorder and is on the autism spectrum. As a result he is too anxious to go to his mainstream school. Despite Justine having explained her son’s difficulties, the Council have instigated a prosecution against her for her son’s non-attendance before...