SEND Tribunal on Wednesday

[sugarcandymonster]

For parts 2, 3 & 4 - requesting a residential special school for ASD.

My solicitor sent an email yesterday asking them to reconsider ahead of the appeal. It was very strongly worded - said the LA's placement was 'likely to cause further and perhaps irreparable damage to DS for which it would be liable'

We've got a brief response saying they'll be seeking legal advice and get back to us on Monday.

Cue a nail-biting weekend!

And I don't have my Bundle yet - it was delivered special delivery while I was out and Royal Mail want me to wait 48 hrs to collect!

Oh no I would try going to your local sorting office or calling them

Good luck hope they fold before Weds

Thanks roundthebend. I've just tried calling the sorting office but they're not taking calls. It's a bus ride away but I'll go later anyway in the hope that it's there. I wanted to spend this weekend sticking coloured stickers and highlighting important bits!

our sorting office is only open in the morning, may be yours is the same. How frustrating for you!

Thanks TG. Sorry yours is still unresolved.

Couldn't get to sorting office today, will have to check again tomorrow morning!

I have finally collected the bundle! They hadn't sorted out the mail by Saturday.

Our evidence: 757 pages. LA evidence: 39 pages. There's no new reports in there that I haven't seen, thank goodness.

Waiting to hear from LA but I expect they'll leave it until 5pm to send an email.

SEND has messed up with the witnesses and reps on our list too, despite both the LA and us sending changes to them in enough time. It's all changed now but you'd think they'd be a bit more on the ball.

Our hearing is in SE1, TG.

Well, the LA are still arguing that their placement is suitable .

Starting to psyche myself up for the battle on Wednesday.

Ours was the same, we submitted literally hundreds of pages of evidence - all the LEA submitted was their original appeal Statement!

The LEA Ed Psych, OT and SALT ALL missed the deadline for written submissions, but at the Tribunal the SALT was totally poisonous and really put the boot in. I will be asking for her to be removed from my child's case!

TG - in answer to your question on the other thread the decision is due by the end of the week

How did you find the hearing, Kickass? Any tips on how to handle it?

I think our legal position is quite strong - I'm more worried about being all and my mind going blank/gibbering.

It was fine, much easier than I thought it would be!

Practical tips - take a notepad and pens for writing notes whilst the LEA are giving evidence, so that you can come back or ask questions (not that I got much time to do either...)

Watch out for what TG experienced, which is what I would call "Filibustering! by the LEA waffling on about minute details regarding Part 2, so that you have insufficient time to discuss Parts 3 and 4.

Dress smart "Mum", but comfortably. Layers in case it is hot and/or there is fierce air conditioning!

Take some snacks and water - it can be a long day!

I was surprisingly very calm and collected on the day.

We are all behind you! You can do this!!

Good luck! Will be thinking of you.

good luck for wednesday

Thanks for the good wishes guys!

The tips are really useful, thanks KickAss and TG. I've made a list, picked out an outfit, gone through my notes, checked the travel route, stocked up on pens and notepaper.

My solicitor says that there's a real chance that we may not finish everything in one day due to number of witnesses and size of bundle. No point worrying about that unless it happens, but I definitely want it to be over by the end of tomorrow.

Hi Sugar ,Just want to wish you all the very best of luck tomorrow x

Good luck!

Hope it is going well. Update us later. Fingers crossed for you xx

Good luck Sugar

I think it went well .

Just a brief summary, but we had piles of evidence and the LA were pinning their argument on the fact that his behaviour has improved in just the past few weeks (after spending over a year in a PRU).

I wasn't impressed by their lawyer - didn't seem to know the case well and tried to twist a legal argument around in their favour, but the panel weren't impressed. We were lucky to get a very good Chair, who pushed things along and made sure that it finished today, albeit after 8 hours!

TG, I know what you mean now about being wired. I stopped being nervous last night and just got on with it today. I'm almost glad I went through it this way, it gave me a chance to voice my arguments to the panel who actually listened.

I'm can't allow myself to be too optimistic until I get their decision, but I'm feeling positive about it - and very relieved that it's over.

Glad it went well.