Thread by @Michael_Yong

BREAKING: Two Bristol families who took @BristolCouncil to High Court against its £5m cuts to SEND funding have won their case. The court has ordered the council to reverse its decision. #SEND Full decision write up to come. Read more: bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-n…

This is big news. 1. It’s the first court case of its kind in the country. 2. It sets a precedent for upcoming court cases. 3. Local authorities around England are now looking to launch joint JR against Govt. 4. Most imptly, SEND children will be supported

Here is a short part of the judge's decision: "I'm not satisfied that had the Defendant (Council) acted lawfully there would necessarily have been any reduction at all. bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-n…

Here is the judgement write up. (It is 33pgs!)
Council's SEND budget has fallen into deficit. It makes £5m cuts in Feb '18.Parents launch case in April. Hearing in July. Conclusion in August. bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-n…

,@BristolCouncil said it was 'disappointed' at the result and would now decide what to do. The judge has ordered it to reverse the cuts.
NOTE: The mums do not get any financial benefit from this case. bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-n…

I'm not sure people realise the impact of something like this. Cuts to SEND support do not just affect SEND children - they affect all children, schools, teachers, and other public sectors. bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-n…

This is one mum's personal story. She launched the court case because she did not want what happened to her to happen to anyone else. bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-n…

If you want to understand more about SEND, take some time to listen to Tess here talk about why this case is so important bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-n…

This is what Bristol council needs to do next. @LGANews
Find £5million, but not from other parts of the education budget. Find £5m, but not raise council tax.
Find £5m, amidst central Govt cuts bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-n…

Couple of thoughts on this: I wish more people (media included) care about #SEND issues.
And never give up challenging what you believe to be right. These mums did not launch this case for their benefit - it was for ALL children bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-n…

If anyone has any questions, please @ me and I'll try to answer them! (Or DM, if you rather do that) bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-n…

Already hearing about the cuts and court cases in @SurreySENCuts @SENDcrisisHack Norfolk, and parts of Manchester.
If you know of anymore, please let me know! bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-n…

'There is no evidence, from the extensive paperwork evidencing the defendant's [council] decision-making process, that members of the council had any regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.'
bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-n…

'Indeed, the decision-making process appears to be driven entirely from the standpoint of ensuring a balanced budget by 2020/21.'
bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-n…