Cheltenham: Families win fight to reverse care home closure

Shaftesbury Place was set to close at the end of April

Families have won a legal challenge to stop a Gloucestershire care home from closing without any prior warning.

Shaftesbury Place in Cheltenham was set to close at the end of April without the consultation of residents and families.

The lawyers behind the legal challenge said the decision was a "victory" for the care home's residents.

Sanctuary, which runs the care home, said an independent consultation would now be carried out.

'No consultation'

Shaftesbury Place, in Marsland Road, is a specialist care home for adults with learning and physical disabilities and has more than 20 residents and tenants.

According to lawyers at Irwin Mitchell, which challenged the the care home, the decision to close was "made on the basis that the home no longer met modern standards".

The firm added that no prior warning was given and no consultation or impact assessments with residents or family members took place.

The care home will now remain open, pending a formal consultation before a fresh decision is made.

'Stay of execution'

Nadia Smith de Nekludoff, the mum of Ashley Smith, 44, who has lived at Shaftesbury Place for 18 years, said they were "blindsided" by the announced closure.

"Ashley called us several times, angry and in tears at the news and while we are all pleased at the outcome of the legal challenge, it feels like a stay of execution," she said.

"We do not know what will happen in the consultation but we will be doing all we can to make sure residents' voices are heard."

Catherine Morgan, mum of Robert Morgan, 40, who has been a tenant for 10 years, said: "We hope now there's a chance to save the home for all the wonderful residents and staff who've made this a real home from home for so many people."

'Ongoing support'

A spokesperson for Sanctuary Supported Living said: "Following discussions with residents and their families, we have committed to conducting an independent consultation process, which will be led by an external company.

"While the consultation is carried out, we will continue to offer all our residents the ongoing support they need."

Kathryn Gooding, the lawyer supporting residents and their families, said: "This is yet another case where we can see how important it is for care home owners and operators to take the views and needs of their residents into account when making major decisions that will have such a profound impact on the lives of those in their care."