High costs to familes Tribunal

[Whatisthis24]

After having to submit to Tribunal it seems if you have money then you can get all the help you need.
I looked for support and the basic free support there was never none appointments.
The support for sen in the county has at least a 2 week wait for just then emailing you back.

If you can afford the £150 just to speak to someone, let alone if you really need help to go through your documents £600 for these send support companies.

And then there's independent reports, very min of £1000 and thats not including there travel expenses.

Obviously I know these people have to be paid, but I kinda feel like they have made a business on peoples suffering.
Which I know is how it works.

Legal aid the bar is extremely high.

Just so depressing on the people who just can not afford the help.

If you need independent reports but can’t afford them and you aren’t eligible for legal aid, have you looked at charity funding?

It takes perseverance but free advice is available. You don’t need to pay for representation. Most parents don’t. It isn’t essential. And independent reports should be prioritised.

I did pay for one report (OT) because the local authority were being so slow (actually I could have waited as the LA OT did come through eventually) but I did all the paperwork for two tribunals myself - no professional advice other than a small sum to a charity to get the final draft checked.

I followed the advice on the IPSEA website carefully and got some advice on here too.

The only thing it really takes is time. Lots and lots of time.

www.mumsnet.com/talk/special_educational_needs/5309128-ehcp-support-thread-no-5?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=app_share

Sorry! Didn't mean to post that link.

I have an OT report (within the time frame the tribunal have asked for).
But the EP report needs tightening up as I need it more specific and quantified (already has an EHCP).
As im appealing against B,F and I.
The cheepest I can find is £2000.

Who did the EP report? If that was private, you can go back to them perhaps and ask just for the updates you need?

No it was the LA who done it.

Have you looked at charity funding?

Alternatively, you could try asking SENDIST to direct the LA to seek specific updated advice and information. However, there is no guarantee SENDIST will agree, and if they do, no guarantee it will be good.

Try Parents in Need for funding for reports.

We will be ok and can just afford to be able to do this, but I feel for the people that no matter what will not be able to get financial support to be able to fight this broken system.
The sheer amount of 'advocates' that are charging insane amounts as well is really concerning.
Its really opened my eyes.