The High Court handed down its judgment in the case of The King v Bristol City Council and Devon County Council, dismissing a legal challenge brought by families against the Safety Valve Agreement between Bristol City Council and Devon County Council.
The case centred on the concern that measures introduced under the Safety Valve Agreement—aimed at reducing the local authority’s SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) budget deficit—would limit access to lawful and essential support for children with SEND in Bristol and Devon
Watkins Solicitors represented two of the families who brought the judicial review, arguing that the agreement risked undermining legal duties to secure provision under EHCPs (Education, Health and Care Plans) and failed to properly assess the impact on disabled children.
While the Court ultimately ruled against the families, it acknowledged the pressure local authorities face in managing rising SEND costs and confirmed that councils must still meet their statutory duties.
Watkins Solicitors remain proud to have supported their clients in raising these urgent issues and bringing national attention to the real-life effects of local authority policy on vulnerable children and their families. Beverley Watkins, Managing Partner at Watkins Solicitors, said:
“While we are, of course, disappointed by today’s outcome, this case has always been about more than one legal challenge—it’s about the real-world consequences of policy decisions on families of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. The Safety Valve agreements are having a significant impact on children’s access to vital support, and we believe those impacts must be subject to greater scrutiny.
Every day, we speak to parents who are forced to give up work or reduce their hours, who face inappropriate school placements for their children, or who must pursue legal action simply to secure basic educational provision. This isn’t just about figures in a budget—it’s about children’s lives and futures.
Although we did not succeed today, this case has brought important national attention to the challenges families are facing under the current system. We remain committed to holding decision-makers to account and standing with families as they fight for the education and support their children deserve.”
A parent from Devon, speaking anonymously, said:
“Myself and other parents in Devon are disappointed by the decision. Devon council’s debt is still increasing despite signing the safety valve agreement and it’s not clear how this is beneficial to disabled children in Devon. We will continue to gather any evidence that shows how the sva is detrimental to the education of our children. We may have lost this battle but we are still fighting for our Children’s right to an education.”
Her daughter added:
“I don’t understand why we have to fight for my education just because I need extra support to learn. I want to be able to work and be independent like everyone else.”
