Please or to access all these features

SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

Tribunal hearing tomorrow.....am so nervous!!!

13 replies

sahs1969 · 11/01/2011 15:30

Hi all,
Well the day has finally arrived and tomorrow at 10am we are going up to London for our tribunal hearing-and I am so so so nervous-I feel sick at the whole thought of it-we are well prepared but still I am not one who talks out loud at the best of times....and to think we have the LEA, Senco and Head all against us......
Oh well we can only do our best-just so fed up with all the fighting we have to do for our poor children.
Please all think of me tomorrow at 10am!!
Will let u know how it goes.
S
x

OP posts:
pinkorkid · 11/01/2011 16:05

good luck - hope it all goes well!

cansu · 11/01/2011 17:01

Good luck. I have been through it twice and although I was terribly nervous, I found that I could speak up because I knew that I was the only one there telling it like it really is! Don't be intimidated. You will probably find that head and SENCO are pretty much grille dby tribunal and they were very good at sniffing out the wishy washy crap that the school might come out with!

jiggles01 · 11/01/2011 18:09

Wishing you all the best !!!!
Luckily our LEA gave in before our date
Good luck .Will be waiting to read your update tomorrowSmile

missmarples · 11/01/2011 18:19

Good luck - the chair and lay people we found ok - have you got a closing summary ? I was asked and froze !!!! Not one of my better moments - and don't let the Lea waffle about unnecessary stuff.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 11/01/2011 18:22

Best of British for tomorrow!!.

Just imagine them all sitting on the loo, that makes them all far less intimidating!!.

tryingtokeepintune · 11/01/2011 18:26

Good luck. Wishing you the best.

izzie123 · 11/01/2011 19:36

Very best of luck tomorow. Going to tribunal ourselves in May.

StartingAfresh · 11/01/2011 19:43

Oh poor you. Having been there I know exactly how you feel but please try not to worry.

The stress for you is 100x that for them because is is your child, but don't be afraid if your stress or emotion come out (although try to keep a lid on anger). The tribunal will be used to it and to some extent it might even help.

I know it is hard to see this right now, but actually the odds are very much in your favour unless you are trying to get a SA based on left-handedness or something it is generally no skin of the panels nose to rule in favour of an assessment.

Good luck.

linksandsmileys · 11/01/2011 19:51

Good luck.

As someone who used to practice as a criminal solicitor, I might have some tips which could help:

Give yourself time to think as you talk. Ask for time to think.

Don't rush when you speak.Pauses are ok. People don't notice them - only you do.

Write a summary and just read it.

Read off notes you have written. Don't think you have to improvise. Don't think you have to remember everything in your head.

It's ok to take your time and look through your notes or check a report.

Make notes while someone is speaking. Concentrate totally on what they are saying. Highlight important bits. If you are asked if you have questions for them, and you do, say yes, but don't be afraid to say I need to check my notes. That is fine. This is important, you are not a lawyer (although lawyers do this all the time).

Likewise, if you are asking questions and you want to check something, just say I need to check something, I'd like to get this right so I don't waste time

Be professional and polite. Say hello and thank people. People can try their best and make mistakes because they lack knowledge and expertise - which is doubtless what you are going to Tribunal to get. Yes, we know they are lying toerags, but much better to be slightly disappointed or pitying in tone e.g. 'it is very hard for teachers with so many children in the class, you can't know them all'

It's ok to ask for help or time out or a loo break ('comfort break')

It's ok to pause and get a drink

Tell the Tribunal panel you are very nervous and ask them to bear with you - that is their job

Let your evidence do the talking

Good luck!!

StartingAfresh · 11/01/2011 19:56

Oh, and be extremely proud of yourself. Despite what they'll have you believe, not everyone can do this.

sugarcandyminx · 11/01/2011 20:54

Good luck! My tribunal hearing was in London too, the clerk we had was lovely and made me feel relaxed.

Bring snacks to keep your energy up, they will have water there but the drinks machine was broken when I went.

Have an early night and try not to stress. As Star says, the odds are well in your favour.

Willmum · 11/01/2011 22:25

Good luck for tomorrow, will think of you and cross my fingers. I think I may be doing the same soon. Can I just ask the people who say they've done this but the lea thankfully gave in before tribunal, did you tell the lea what you wanted before you got to tribunal?

I'm still trying to decided whether to tell them completely what I think is wrong with my lo's draft statement, or whether I should not put all my cards on the table as it were. Really confused about whats best to do.

Willmum · 23/01/2011 18:39

Don't know whether you've posted anyother thread but just wondered how it went? Hope it went ok.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page