Judicial review launched over planned closure of college for adults with learning disabilities

Represented by law firm Bindmans, the 36-year-old claimant had been attending college at the Poverest Centre in Orpington for 14 years.

The claimant, referred to as ‘Jerome’, has moderate to severe learning disabilities, atypical autism and epilepsy.

In May, Jerome’s family was informed by Bromley that the Poverest Centre would be closed, with classes moving to an alternative location in Penge.

Bindmans said: “For Jerome, the long journey to Penge would be insurmountable due to his epilepsy and other needs. Moving his college to Penge would effectively bring an end to Jerome’s education.”

The law firm said it understands the council are proposing to move the majority of provision to Penge, but that some education will be provided at other “satellite” sites, like local libraries.

However, the claimant’s family shared their concern that these will not be suitable settings, and that Jerome will lose the community and peer group he has at the Poverest Centre.

Before approaching lawyers, the claimant’s parents raised their concerns about the closure with the council. They wrote to the council, their local MP and Mencap.

However, according to the law firm, they were not able to make any progress.

Lawyers sent a letter to the council on 17 July asking for more information about the consultation process.

The letter welcomed the proposed consultation and invited the council to confirm that the decision to close the centre would be withdrawn, to allow a lawful consultation to first be completed.

Having received only a “short holding response” from the council, Bindmans served a letter before action on the council on 21 July 2025, asserting that the closure decision was unlawful on the following grounds:

1. Bromley Council did not consult with college students and their families before taking the decision.
2. Bromley Council failed to make adequate inquiries before taking the decision, in breach of the Tameside duty.
3. Bromley Council failed to comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty (‘PSED’), contrary to s.149 Equality Act 2010.

In response, the council refused to revisit its decision to close the Poverest Centre and denied that its decision-making process had been unlawful.

On 29 July, the claimant’s legal team filed his application for judicial review with the High Court.

According to Bindmans, the claimant has asked the High Court to expedite its permission decision - to stop the council from taking any more steps to progress the closure and redevelopment of the Poverest site while a judge considers the lawfulness of the council’s decision.

Basmah Sahib, Solicitor at Bindmans, said: “The vulnerable adults who rely on the Poverest Centre, and those who care for them, have been treated appallingly. The lack of transparency and clarity around when and what decisions have been made by Bromley Council has caused great anxiety amongst students and carers alike. Those most affected by the decision, and least able to self-advocate, have been kept in the dark. It’s incredibly frustrating that Bromley Council hasn’t grappled with its consultation duty.

“We’ve had to act swiftly to get this application before the High Court, and are very grateful to the parents and families of students at the Poverest Centre who rapidly provided heartfelt testimonies about how the closure would affect them. I’ve never seen a community pull together so quickly. Jerome certainly doesn’t stand alone in this litigation.”

Bromley Council has been approached for comment.

Lottie Winson