Slough family win compensation from Redbridge Borough Council

Janelle Clarke and her two children were placed in a two-bedroom apartment in a converted town centre office block in Slough by Redbridge Borough Council last autumn. But the east London council has now paid them compensation after Ms Clarke took it to court.

Ms Clarke told the Observer she felt the way Redbridge had treated her family was ‘absolutely appalling’. But she said she hopes her win can encourage other families in similar situations to stand up.

Redbridge Borough Council has said it is sorry to Ms Clarke and that it ‘works hard to find suitable homes for those most in need’.

Ms Clarke is housed by Redbridge Borough Council under its duty to accommodate families at risk of homelessness. The council had placed her and her family for eight years in Harlesden, north London until November 2022 when she says she was evicted by her landlord.

After that she and her family spent several months in hotel accommodation before being moved to the Grand Heights tower block on Hatfield Road in Slough town centre. Ms Clarke says the move uprooted her and her family from the lives they had built.

Slough is also a two-hour journey from the school her children still attend in London. That means they have to leave at 5am and come back at 7pm every day.

But Ms Clarke says Redbridge Borough Council and her landlord didn’t take her family’s disabilities into account when moving her. Ms Clarke lives with scoliosis, her son has autism and her daughter needs a back brace.

Janelle Clarke (Image: Janelle Clarke)

After she took legal action against the council for indirect discrimination, it agreed to pay her a settlement of £4,000.

Ms Clarke said: “I found it strange that the council did not inform the landlord about my family’s disabilities. The way they treated my family was absolutely appalling.”

Redbridge Borough Council said it apologises to Ms Clarke and her family – though it says it didn’t evict her. It said the housing crisis makes it difficult for London councils to accommodate families in need in the capital.

A spokesperson said: “It's important to stress that we did not evict Ms Clarke. However, the accommodation provided was unsuitable. We sincerely apologise to Ms Clarke and have paid her compensation.

“Due to the shortage of social housing in Redbridge and across London, we rely on temporary accommodation to ensure those most in need have a safe, warm and secure home while longer-term housing is sought.”

The council added that it is reviewing how it assesses the suitability of properties it houses its families in.

Ms Clarke said she hoped her win would encourage other families to stand their ground. She said: “This was a victory for me – I really challenged them.

“It’s not about the money for me. If they continue to treat people without any dignity it’s wrong. I want to encourage other families to stand up for their rights.”