Back to the fray

[insanityscatching]

Feeling absolutely on top of the world after the best holiday in years ds has been an absolute star and all the ghosts have been laid to rest.
Soon brought down to earth I'm afraid as had communication from my solicitor who had forwarded me the latest from the LEA's solicitors.

Our LEA apparently believe that the proposed statement is exactly the same as a final statement and should be considered as such and don't seem to grasp that they need to finalise it for it to supercede the last one so that might explain why I'm still waiting for a final statement.

They also have no knowledge of the school's correspondence with them detailing how they cannot meet DS's needs despite the school sending it twice and solicitor sending them copies on two separate occasions (by fax and post).

They claim that the school have seen and agreed the proposed statement despite the school having no knowledge and the LEA being unable to provide copies of the correspondence they claim to have sent.

Any thoughts as to what is going on? It's such a farce am I supposed to believe that the LEA's solicitors don't seem to grasp educational law. My own solicitor is bemused as she has never experienced anything like it before.

Well firstly I am so glad your holiday went well

What a pile of rubbish you have come home to read though. If copy letters were sent by fax then there would be confirmation there that it was sent so they cant argue but personally I would get another copy from the school direct and send it registered post so it has to be signed for and you have a receipt as proof to give to your solicitor for safe keeping.

All I can say is keep your sense of humour intact as you are clearly dealing with a pile of clowns

They have quoted directly from correspondence that included the school's contribution so how on earth they can claim not to have had it when they can quote from the same letter is beyond me. My solicitor calls them irrational

I think LAs are recognising more and more that the law doesn't really mean anything. It isn't properly regulated and the worst that can happen is a tribunal can say to them 'don't do it again will you old chap, I remember when I used to work for an LA, god those parents were a nightmare weren't they?'.

You can go to LGO or JR and you'll get the same 'don't do it again old chap, I remember when I used to work for an LA, god those parents were a nightmare weren't they, - oh and don't be too disheartened at our gentle ticking off, things have delayed so much now that the Annual Review is next month so you'll get a chance to get your own back'.

Tell your solicitor to write saying whatever the outcome (compromise or tribunal decision) you will be asking SENDIST to make an order against them for wasted costs due to their inability to deal with standard correspondence and meet the timetable.

Agnes that might give them a push. I actually believe they are playing the game really well because they are succeeding in denying ds a placement and me the opportunity for Tribunal and I don't think for one minute this is unintentional. As it is the school year starts tomorrow and ds's current statement names an 11 to 16 specialist placement when he is post 16. The proposed amended statement that the solicitor has asked them to finalise names a mainstream placement that has already stated at length more than once they are unable to meet his needs and hasn't recruited staff to support ds because the LEA haven't forwarded them the proposed statement.