Bromley Council’s decision to close Proverest Centre and move classes to Penge, will have a severe impact on students, particularly those with disabilities.

‘Jerome’ (not his real name) is a 36-year-old man with moderate to severe learning disabilities, atypical autism and epilepsy. He has  attended college at the Poverest Centre in Orpington for 14 years. Jerome has  appointed law firm Bindmans to try to fight the decision.

In mid-May, the family received a letter from Bromley Council informing them that the Poverest Centre would be closed, with classes moving to an alternative location in Penge, a significant distance from Jerome. 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

Bindmans asserts that the closure decision is unlawful and should be withdrawn.

Basmah Sahib, Jerome’s solicitor at Bindmans, comments:

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.

Bindmans served a pre-action protocol letter on Bromley Council on 21 July 2025, asserting that the closure decision was unlawful and should be withdrawn on the basis that:

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.

On 28 July, Bromley Council responded. 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, Jerome’s legal team at Bindmans filed his application for judicial review with the High Court. The application was supported by witness statements from other affected families.

Bindmans has been approached by five other students and their carers who expressed concerns about the closure decision and the Council’s lack of transparency. There is a growing sense amongst the students and their families that the Council is pressing on with the closure, without fully hearing or understanding their concerns.

Jerome is represented by Basmah Sahib, a solicitor in Bindmans’ public law and human rights team.

His barrister is Alice Irving from Doughty Street Chambers.