Campaign group loses fight over accomodation for Derby children in care

A campaign organisation has lost a High Court fight after complaining about children in council care being placed in facilities outside their home area.

The Good Law Project had taken legal action against four local authorities - Cambridgeshire County Council, Derby City Council, Essex County Council and West Sussex County Council - and Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi.

Lawyers representing the organisation said statutory duties to provide sufficient "in area" accommodation were not being complied with.

They said in 2020 nearly four out of every 10 children in care were placed outside their local authority area.

But a judge on Tuesday dismissed the Good Law Project's claim after a High Court hearing in London.

Mr Justice Choudhury concluded that the organisation did not have an arguable case.

Lawyers representing the councils, and the Government, had disputed the claim.