Appeals . Please send in your evidence.

[Raera]

This week I am serving on appeals panels and have been sent the information to read through.
4 of them state that if we need evidence it can be provided.

This will not work at all and those children have not been given the best chance at success.
It's too late to supply evidence at appeal date or afterwards. The decision is made on what we hear and see at the appeal.
So if you have evidence please supply it at the same time as your appeal letter!

Here here. The panel cannot and will not ask for documentation for your appeal, and time and time again I see the same thing, or a parent referring to something that could be important but providing no evidence - anxiety, bullying etc.

In the days of physical appeals we would sometimes accept evidence on the day as everyone could be given a copy easily, but of course that isn't possible at the moment. So evidence everything!

I’ve had a few this year who’ve just filled in the basic form info, written 2 sentences about how all their friends are going to this school, and then said they won’t be attending the appeal anyway.

Seriously, not a valid argument in sight and a waste of everyone’s time.

@DustCentral

I’ve had a few this year who’ve just filled in the basic form info, written 2 sentences about how all their friends are going to this school, and then said they won’t be attending the appeal anyway.

Seriously, not a valid argument in sight and a waste of everyone’s time.

I've had a few like that, but sadly have also had quite a few who might have been considered, but without any evidence, we have had to say no.

I don't know how to change that as the information sent out to parents is very good and states how important it is to provide evidence

It’s such a shame they don’t fully take on board what’s needed to give them the best chance. I can probably pull out several of ours that will be immediate easy “no’s” as they’ve put so little down.

This time 6 years ago I was anxiously waiting to attend appeal.... but knew I’d sent as much evidence as I could possibly provide.
This week DD is finishing her GCSE assessments.... at the right school. DS is in Y9 and I have a lovely job there!

May i ask how you are dealing with the implications of Covid in this? My daughter was referred to CAMHS for an ASD assessment at the beginning of the first lockdown but we have been unable to make any progress on this for over a year now as we just haven't been able to get any appointments yet. So basically we are unable to provide any evidence but not for want of trying! How are situations, without evidence, viewed? Is it always an automatic no?

I have to say though that this issue is just one part of our appeal, we have several other arguments and have fully explained this in our written submission. It is however weighing heavily on my mind...

@GoldenMushroom I appreciate that it must be frustrating. In your case, you can evidence that she has been referred, and presumably there is some evidence from school/others (say GP) as to why, and what paths you have pursued before CAMHS. So you have I would imagine some proof of her difficulties. In the current circumstances, we do appreciate that parents may have struggled to get diagnosis (and CAHMS was overwhelmed before COVID!).

Sorry to jump on this thread....

How long should we expect to wait to find out the outcome of our appeal?

@bex12345 in my LA a letter would go out the day after the appeal with the decision, and a longer one would follow on with the full reasoning.
If a number of people are appealing over a few days, all the appeals will be heard before decisions made.

@PatriciaHolm thank you for that. There were a number of appeals being made I believe so may have a few days extra to wait.

We are in the process of going through the appeals process now and just waiting for the schools case which is due this week. We have lodged 11 pages of evidence and reasons for the appeal and I worry is this enough or is more still required it’s such a stressful time having never had to deal with this previously but it’s something as a family we feel so compassionate about

@PatriciaHolm Thank you so much for your reply, I need all the reassurance I can get and @Mstiva I totally get where you are coming from as it sounds like we are in the same boat. Thos has been the hardest thing I think we've ever gone through as there is so much at stake. Wishing you all the best!

We are also awaiting an appeal. My son is awaiting camhs and paeds appointments, referred by school. But because of covid, the appointments were both after the evidence cut off and one after the appeal. It's so worrying and frustrating. Trying to give as many reasons as possible and hope that loads don't turn up. The school has loads of appeals, it's being done over 2 days. My son is 4th on the waiting list. Any tips of how to word the speaking part would be much appreciated

We’ve just received the schools case today which will be heard by the appeals panel the letter is hard for us as parents to read, now just to try and prove no prejudice daunting month ahead. Good luck everyone

It is best if you read from a pre-written speech, simply because unless you are used to public speaking the chances are that at some stage you will lose your place and the majority start to flounder a bit. This almost for sure will mean that you miss out something you want to say.
So have it written down and just speak slowly and carefully with eye contact to the panel.
A big mistake is to bring in a photo of your child, that is an immediate turn-off for the panel. The panel know how important this decision is and that we are talking about human beings. Having a picture metaphorically rammed down your throat is just going to irritate/

Agree with admission - though my LA is only doing phone appeals, so no eye contact unfortunately.

Remember the panel will have your supporting documents and will have read them, so while you should reference them, there is no need to repeat everything they say.