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Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

SN children

Surprise mediators

11 replies

senvet · 15/01/2015 01:14

With the new law trying to get cases mediated I skimmed the internet to see who was lining up for the work.

I found a firm whose website says 'We do not act for parents'.

It also says:-
"Mediation

We can facilitate mediation between parents and local authorities to resolve SEN disputes; although local authorities have access to SEN Dispute Resolution arrangements, these are often under-used due to parents' lack of confidence in the process
We have an awareness of the issues that can arise in SEN disputes and have an understanding from both a parental and a local authority perspective; we are therefore able to use this expertise to facilitate discussion to narrow the areas of potential dispute and reach agreement between the parties
We can arrange the mediation and draw up any agreement reached, which both parties will accept to be bound by
We will only act where we are independent of both parties"

Here's the link

www.bakersmall.co.uk/public-sector-solicitors/public-sector-education-services/education-law-advice/special-educational-needs/special-educational-needs-advice-support-for-local-authorities.html

How do parents feel about using this mediator?

OP posts:
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uggerthebugger · 15/01/2015 05:54

I'd sooner feed my secondary sexual organs into a woodchipper than use a service like this.

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billiejeanbob · 15/01/2015 08:51

Bs are well known for their dirty tricks against parents at tribunal. My indie experts told me some awful stories about them.
I would rather eat my own arm than go to mediation managed by them.

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senvet · 15/01/2015 09:50

ever done stand up comedy ugger?

OP posts:
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uggerthebugger · 15/01/2015 14:34

Not satire, senvet. Looks like BS have cornered the market in that.

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ouryve · 15/01/2015 14:38

Turkeys voting for Christmas comes to mind, with that lot.

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Icimoi · 15/01/2015 15:57

As recorded elsewhere, I wouldn't touch them with a bargepole.

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StarlightMcKenzee · 15/01/2015 16:14

I know of one poster here that had a good experience with their mediation branch.

However I would not use them because given they lobby LA's for business, I cannot imagine them being prepared to run a mediation session that ends with a child receiving provision that costs more than the LA want to part with. There is a conflict of interest.

My other reason for not using them is that I will not be responsible for any more public money going into their pockets.

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AgnesDiPesto · 15/01/2015 19:05

I'm with Star
They have I suspect only ventured into this field because LA work is drying up as councils are forced to cut costs and take work back in house.
My LA has just stopped paying them an annual retainer.

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StarlightMcKenzee · 15/01/2015 20:37

To be fair I have heard that there are LAs who have stopped using them because they didn't like their tactics AND because some tribunal Judges got fed up with them too.

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MeirAyaAlibi · 15/01/2015 21:11

We will only act where we are independent of both parties

So the silver lining is that the LA can't then use BS against you?

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2boysnamedR · 15/01/2015 23:32

From what I hear there can't be many LAs who haven't worked with BS or hired someone trained up by them. So to be totally uninvolved surely they mean Scottish / Irish LAs?

To many fingers in too many pies.

Like butchers offering out kennel services for people's micro pigs while they go on holidays?

Green peace working with Japanese whaling fleets?

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