so worried i feel sick abt panel

[baileyandtinks]

ive not seen my sons first draft of his statement yet and becaise of unusual circumstances its going to the SS panel tomorrow, a, im worried abt the outcome of the panel and
b, im worried the panel will see his statement b4 me my PP says this is unpresidented in her yrs as a pp advisor and im bricking it

It does sound bizarre that they haven't given you a copy of draft statement yet - could you phone the case officer in the morning and ask him/her to email you a copy. They can get around internet confidentiality issues by sending you the body of the statement minus the first page which has name, addresss etc on.

Also if outcome of panel is not appropriate in your opinion, you can request that it goes back to panel - especially as you haven't had the chance to give your feedback beforehand.

bump

been trying for 3 days to get hold of case worker sending DH to collect it tomorrow as it wasnt ready still today, would like to know at least whats in it b4 the panel see it tomorrow, yes pp said to me its makes no difference that we will go ahead as usual with making our changes to it ect as ive not seen it in advance im just scared and im pretty tired fighting the system as DS is 10 and we started this when he was 4 although i was telling them since 2 there were problems and was ignored by everyone it took some bad things to happen b4 they realsied ooh hang on this isnt right,what they dont understand is its not just their education its their whole future there playing with and DS has waited long enough

There is actually a proper statutory timetable which they ought to have adhered to, which includes parents getting a chance to comment on a draft statement . Bear that in mind as some ammunition if you need it later.

I know very well the nerves before panel - the only answer imho is a stiff drink! AND then you never find out for ages what's happened in the meeting, unless you are brave like a good pal of mine, who rings the SEN dept the very next day , at lunchtime, and asks the person answering the phone to let her know what happened (if you're lucky, the person who answers the phone is also the person typing up the panel minutes).

Good luck! What are you aiming for, does your pp officer think you have a good chance?

well pp was telling me its standard for it to go to panel then prob trib as ds needs a special school but as they have had to put it to the SS panel as hes at home after i complained to ed minister weird how suddenly they have jumped ahead (hope its a good sign)but yeah ill be one of those pushy peeps ringing monday morning demanding to know whats going on lol i stopped drinking 2 yrs ago i wish i hadnt now

If they muck you around again, take on an advocate and/or tell them you have a daily telegraph reporter who wants to do a 'timeline' story on how, despite cameron's pledges, la's are still failing disabled kids. Say that you don't really want to be in the papers, but would do it if you are desperate. Tell them you have kept a log of every call, with every (named) official over the 6 yrs. Tell them that after riven's case made such headlines, every editor is looking for a similar story . Actually that is probably true. I used to be in pr, and the one thing people like sen staff fear most is seeing their own name in the paper!