Stressed with ehcp appeal process with legal help help

[246810k]

Ds has ehcp and special school we want can meet needs but not named awaiting la meeting to confirm dates. We appealing with Solicitor to ensure placement is named promptly and include some salt. Solicitors want us to arrange for ot, ep and salt independent reports which are extremely expensive. We'd allowed a good budget to cover legal costs but this takes us well over but my biggest concern is are they entirely necessary? Ds is asd. Has had 3 ep la reports and numerous salt ones we have already provided. I'm quite frankly exhausted by the entire process? Also if we did provide them, which id rather not do they have to be submitted when we appeal? Thanks

[Headfirstintothewild]

If it is a choice between a solicitor or independent assessments, you should be prioritising independent assessments.

It is evidence that wins appeals. EHCPs are based on evidence. If the evidence is poor, the EHCP will be poor too. The placement named in section I is the logical conclusion of B&F. If B&F are poor, there is a higher chance parental preference will not be named in I. Especially because they will currently be written to support the placement the LA has named in I. Even the best solicitor can only work with the evidence available.

LA EP reports are unlikely to be sufficiently detailed, specified and quantified. If you have 3 EP reports, at least 1 may well be considered out of date by the time you get to a hearing. Are the SALT reports independent? Were they written specifically for the EHCP? How old are they?

[Zyq]

Seconded. Seriously, if money is limited you are much better off rethinking and running the appeal yourself without a solicitor whilst paying for experts. The best solicitor int the world can't do anything without good evidence, and LA reports are rarely good. Make sure the experts you instruct are people with a good tribunal track record.

[Irisginger]

Come and join the EHCP thread.