SOCIAL services bosses are mulling over a legal ruling that could set a precedent for councils who have withdrawn care for vulnerable people.

Four people with disabilities won a challenge to Birmingham City Council’s decision that only people with “critical” needs should receive social care.

Mr Justice Walker said the council had failed to take account of disability discrimination laws and that its public consultation had been flawed.

Both Borough of Poole and Dorset County Council have withdrawn care to all but those in “critical” or “substantial” need.

David Vitty, head of adult social care at the Borough of Poole, said: “We will be reviewing this judgement carefully to understand what it means for Poole.

“However, the circumstances surrounding the case in Birmingham are different to those in Poole, where our eligibility for social care is set at the same level as most other local authorities. There are no plans to raise eligibility criteria in Poole to the level proposed in Birmingham.”

Harry Capron, head of service development with Dorset County Council, said: “We have no plans to change our eligibility criteria from substantial to critical as Birmingham City Council has done.

“However, we will look closely at any lessons learned from the Birmingham case and the High Court ruling.”