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A Bristol family has accused the council of failing to address their social and housing needs and launched a judicial review challenge in the high court, writes Katie Leason.

The family of eight has moved five times over the last 10 years due to "racist campaigns" by neighbours, their barrister Stephen Knapfler claimed.

The council declared the parents "intentionally homeless" in May after leaving their former home in the city, which removed their right to public housing. Officers also secured anti-social behaviour orders against three of their sons.

Core assessments carried out by the council regarding the children’s needs failed to specify how their problems will be met and how the family can be accommodated in a single stable environment, claims the family’s lawyers.

Knapfler said the council had failed in its duty to identify the help needed for the family to secure stable accommodation and improve the boys’ behaviour, and how that help would be provided.

The family is seeking a court order for the council to assess their needs appropriately and make proposals to meet them.

They are now being housed temporarily by the council, pending the outcome of the case, which is expected to return to court in February.