Mediation before EHCP TRIBUNAL?

[ThatAlertPeer]

Has anyone got advice regarding using a mediation company before going straight to SEND tribunal. I have received my DD's final EHCP and they have not the specialist school that I wanted and also the provisions they have listed are wafty to say the least. I wanted to go straight to tribunal for time reasons.

I have heard a few people say that mediation with the local authority is a waste of time and effort and that I should go straight to appeal.

Do any of you have experience good or bad with mediation?

Many thanks for reading.

If this is for a placement for September you don’t have time to waste. LAs often use mediation as a delaying tactic. If they are going to concede they will do so whether you actively partake in mediation or just get the certificate and submit to SENDIST.

Thank you for the quick reply, just reinforces my own thoughts exactly.

Have a great rest of your day.

It was for us. He said he had the perfect school for our son - LEA special school for MLD and SLD. i kept the man talking while my husband read the name of the school upside down on the notes. We contacted the school, saw the head, who was brilliant, who said our son was capable of doing GCSE as is ASC plus dypraxia, dyslexia and thus school was not an appropriate setting.

We went to mediation just to show willing.

They caved in 24 hours before the tribunal.