LEA using notes from our TAC meeting as evidence in tribunal

[babiki]

Are going to Tribunal soon over desicion not to assess. Ds with GDD, functioning at 18 months (3years old chronologically) and othe issues. My stupidity LEA got hold of the notes from TAC meeting, as I got a call from Children's centre asking if they can share the notes with education and I thought they mean the preschool and said yes :(. They are using my comments that ds is making progress as 'last year he didn't walk or talk and now he does' to prove he is making progress... It just seems so absurd, is this normal, can the tribunal take it seriously?

[inappropriatelyemployed]

Do you agree he has made some progress? Is the comment accurate? I it is, what difference does it make to the case you are making?

Agreement on some progress does not necessarily undermine the case.

For example, if you argument is, yes he can now walk and talk but his skills are profoundly limited and that without a statement and not make more progress, learn to socialise, read, etc etc, and that walking and talking will not get him through education in and of itself I wouldn't worry.

You have to focus on:

1. The reasons you need a statement;
   
2. The areas where he is not making any progress or only limited progress
   
3. The problems he will face other future. SEN COP talks of the need to consider future needs.
   
4. And, most importantly, the evidence you have to support this,
   

A comment from mum saying yes he can now walk and talk and this is progress, is neither here nor there if you have evidence to justify a his need for support

[mariammama]

If he had suddenly started to make huge leaps without special education, you wouldnt be hassling the LA. They could have got that info via another route anyway, and even if they'd failed to do so, evidence simply can be made up

"My impression of this dc is...." "Have you ever met him?-No, Have you talked to his parents or teachers?-No... But I've been Pontypandy's senior advisory educational spare part for 100y, and in my experience all dc catch up,it's harmful to label, help will A&E him feel different to his peers, he's a boy, and they develop at their own rate. And our Early Years Action Plus input is so superb here in Pontypandy, that a statement wouldn't add anything."

[babiki]

Inappropriatelyemployed - yes you are right, it just really irritated me that they got hold of the notes and will use them to prove their case.
Mariammama, yes I'm wondering what else are they going to come up with...well lesson learned, do not share things with education again! Would love to know how did they even know there was a TAC meeting...

[2006hildy]

Hi,
We are going through the same thing.

We are going to agree some progress has been made. Why shouldn't it if they are growing up all the time.

We are not going to agree "Adequate" (SEN COP) has been made. There is a definition.

Hope this helps - no need to sweat it.

[babiki]

Thanks and good luck to you!