Is this usual? Tribunal...

[commonsensehasleftthebuilding]

So we were due to go to tribunal on Friday- the hearing was delayed from June due to availability of experts for both sides.

We have just had an email saying that it has been postponed due to lack of court time.

I'm furious and upset in equal measure. There was real pressure on the LA to settle before Friday and this has now been removed.

The chances of finding a new date that is convenient for all the experts before September is slim and part of the tribunal deals with secondary school placement. DD is finishing primary this month.

This seems to be happening a lot at the moment. They usually overbook because a lot of cases settle or get postponed at a late stage, but presumably that's not happening as much as it used to for some reason. Maybe local authorities are getting more intransigent?

We were supposed to be going to tribunal on 19th but the LA have conceded on the major issue this week. Just waiting to see if they agree to all the changes in the EHCP and our slot should be freed, but no way of knowing if that is double booked or not.

LAs have a lot to answer for. Ours didn't have a leg to stand on from the start. We should never have had to appeal in the first place.

Us too- placement main thing at issue. We want out of county school and LA want in county school. SENCO at county school is adamant that they cannot meet need. No one who had met DD thinks that it is an appropriate setting. Only the bean counters. So wanted resolution.

LAs are basing their decisions on costs, not needs, which is unlawful.

Is there any way you can complain to the Tribunal about the postponement and get another date before September? This really isn't in your DD's interests.

It seems to be a common problem:

twitter.com/SEN_advice/status/1017825944730468355?fl=4&cn=ZmxleGlibGVfcmVjcw%3D%3D&refsrc=email

At the time I last went, if they cancelled at the last min and that caused costs, you could apply for those costs.

I once arrived on the day and was told it was cancelled - and then 15 mins later, I was told it was a mistake!

At least it isn't personal, but it's still a bit shit. Apparently being a priority gets you a phone call at the end of the month to discuss rescheduling?!

Thanks for the replies