Tribunal hearing in 3 weeks-advice please???

[sahs1969]

Hi,
Well we got the date today for the 12th Jan along with 380 pages of all dd's reports and assessments etc she's had done over the years.

Do you think we will actually end up going to Trinunal now with it so close or has it been known that the LEA back out at the very last minute?

Our hearing is up in London and I am so so so nervous for it-we have fought so hard for dd the past few years and are fighting on grounds of emotional/anxiety problems, ADD, poor self esteem, requiring alot of 1-1 support within the class and also she is 3yrs behind with her maths.
She will never manage at MS high school-the report from GOSH says she is an ideal candidate for school refusal.....

Help....need to hear from others that have been in my position so near to the hearing.
Thanks
x

Didn't want to read and run. Not been down this route myself, but from what I've seen of others, if the LA are planning on backing down they nearly always leave it until a day or two before tribunal .

I've heard of LAs backing down on the morning of tribunal - very dirty, as it's too late to cancel witnesses etc by that stage.

It sounds like you have a strong case but I have to admit our case was also strong - my rep thought there was a good chance of the LA backing down but they made us go through to the hearing.

I would suggest planning everything as if you know the hearing is going ahead - if the LA do back down it's a bonus, but at least you'll be prepared if they don't.

I found that the tribunal wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, although I had support with a legal rep and witnesses. It was a very long day as we also had lots of paperwork, but it wasn't intimidating or hostile - we were lucky to get a good judge. The panel read all of our reports and I felt they were very thorough.

My hearing was also in London - is yours in SE1?

I've just had a look at the SEND website and they now have videos online, which might help you know what to expect. My hearing was at the same location as the video and the video hearing was quite similar to my own.

Yes, like sugar I have heard of LAs backing down just before going into the tribunal. Someone told me to prepare myself mentally and emotionally for tribunal so that anything else is a bonus.

Do you have anyone helping you?

Good luck.

Thanks so much for ur replies-no got no-one helping us as such but we do have a lovely lady from Mencap who has been our mediator for the past year and she has been so much help with lots of advice.
I am going to sit and go through the 300 odd pages and mark areas we are concerned about so am all prepared on the day.

Yes our hearing is at SE1.
I have the dvd to watch and am going to do so today.

EEEEEKKKKKKK just wish this was all over.
x