Tribunal stuff

[fiduciarydealings]

I've name changed for this.

The NHS S&LT has just got in touch today and wants to see DS for assessment just before the deadline for filing reports. We haven't heard from her for a bit and she filed some ridiculous reports a few months ago justifyig their crap provision without meeting him.

Obviously, you need to work with these people but it is annoying when you know she is only going to see him to try and justify their case.

We had a report saying DS needs weekly direct therapy which we have little chance of getting (and I'm not sure he needs) but I think we have a good chance of getting more than is on offer. Would you make a different prorposal to the LA or just stick it out?

Also, our EP has said she doesn't need to update her report altho she saw DS last year. I thought reports had to be no more than six months old.

Write to her and ask what is the purpose of her visit when you haven't seen her for yonks, and remind her that a visit purely for a tribunal is unethical? (put in the date of the last visit, and mention the fact that her reports were ridiculous - in nicer words).

This letter is evidence.

When she responds with rubbish, agree to meet with her naturally, in writing, but only on the last possible day. Then be sick.

That's what I'd do.

Good luck.

Is it the LA EP? If so, don't chase.
If it is a private EP it depends on age. If young it has to be within 6 months but later yearly reports are okay.

OK I can post but I can't read any posts on a thread - what's happening?

Just pm'd you as you won't be able to read this - think you need to be logged into MN to read the SN board

Sorted now!

EP is ours. DS is 8.

Have asked her what her 'assessment' is for. She's never undertaken one before with him!

You need to ask in writing. Always, as this will contribute to your tribunal bundle.

Tis done. Thanks.

Got email back telling me there would be a formal assessment for a report and to measure progress.

I am so annoyed as this S&LT never bothered to do a formal assessment before starting his therapy programme and has left school to deal with it despite DS's crap and inexperienced TA .

Of course, this didn't stop the S&LT filing a 12 page - yes 12 page!- report with Tribunal two months ago saying the consultative model was fine for DS. Despite never having met him, despite knowing his S&LT programme hadn't even started 3 months after his statement had been issued and despite knowing his TA had no training.

So, DS is to have one of his visits wasted on being tested, yet again, so they can cover their arses in Tribunal. His programme will only have been in place for 3 months and as far as I can see no baseline assessments have been done to 'measure progress' against.

Would this S&LT have been visiting if it wasn't for Tribunal? I doubt it.

So we have a whole LA and their S&LT advocating the 'collaborative model' when they can't be arse training staff, don't abide by statementing provision and know they have a TA delivering it who constantly whinges she doesn't know what she's doing, has never worked as a TA before and has had to have her sessions scripted.

Oh, and we've had to instruct our own S&LT to train her.

I'm so angry and have written to express my absolute exasperation

I should say his programme will only have been in place for 3 weeks when she sees him!

Got email back telling me there would be a formal assessment for a report and to measure progress.

'Write back to her and ask why she never felt able to do a formal assessment before you had to appeal to tribunal as surely this would have been the appropriate time. Tell her that you have made other arrangements for a formal assessment due to your exasperation at her refusal to assess.

Say that you have concerns about obsessive assessment, particularly in the run up to the tribunal, but you are happy for her to come in the week afterwards when the stress of it has all calmed down.

Ask outright, why they feel that right now measuring progress is essential, when they have had their opportunity and failed and so you have had to do it at your own expense!?

Write to a tribunal panel audience.

Star, do you think I should refuse the assessment then? Won't that look bad?

I have written with those kind of points and I am concerned that he is just constantly tested for the sake of it - or for the sake of justifying themselves at Tribunal.

The local S&LT we have got involved did not do our SA report. That was done by a very experienced S&LT who is going to review him in June too. The local S&LT has never appeared at Tribunal before so I was going to rely on the other S&LT (and feed the other S&LT experience in to that).

However, no one has been working directly with DS as they've all been training the bloody TA when they come in!!

You have to be very careful about refusing the assessment, but whilst being as reasonable as you can, try to engineer it so that it is quite clear to everyone/anyone that the ONLY purpose of the assessment was to stand against you at tribunal.

You might like to go to and fro clarifying their position and then 'compromise' on an observation only.

Be careful, but do not be a roll over either. And be as reasonable as you possibly can in your correspondence.

Thanks Star. I have set out my concerns: no baseline assessment to measure progress against; no provision until this week (despite statement issued January) and my fear this is motivated by Tribunal which is very unfair on DS who is in a setting with a very inexperienced TA and no support.