Feeling very frustrated.. LA etc etc

[appropriatelytrained]

Eventually found a lovely school for DS after a horrible couple of years with a school who didn't give a toss about his and fought me every inch of the way.

I've been HE since July. Then we found a school. DS2 started 3 weeks ago. DS1 has a statement and we have had to apply to get the school named on Pt4.

The school is out of county and the LA have been dragging their feet. A month after applying for them to name the school, we have heard nothing from them. As far as I am concerned, I am not HEing, I'm being forced to educate DS at home because of the LA's crapness.

This is becoming frustrating as I take him to and from school to drop off/collect DS2 every day. It is a small school and people notice. They are very friendly and ask about us and whether DS1 is joining school. I explain...not yet

I know they are waiting to get all the provision in place before they name the school. The school are happy to have us so there can't be any other reason. They want to make sure all the provision is in place because I have taken them to the LGO before when they failed to do so.

I suspect they feel that, if they do not actually name a school, they can't be held responsible yet for not arranging the provision.

I am also annoyed that I have

(a) a solicitor acting for us in the LGO claim who never responds when she says she will. We have ended up with enormous bills. Two weeks ago she promised to write a letter we needed for our LGO case by last Monday. I'm still waiting and despite chasing, I''ve had no response

(b) I instructed a parental advocate to deal with the LA because they subjected me to a vexatious ban unjustly which means I can't deal with them directly (this is subject to an LGO complaint too). I've asked that s/he chases the situation but again, correspondence to her goes unanswered and I feel powerless and frustrated as I can't chase myself.

I then get asked for an interview for a very interesting and high level post in London next week. I could work part-time even - they are flexible and progressive.

BUT I have a son still out of education. I'm getting really angry about it all now. I am sick to death of waiting for everyone. We need a plan too get this started but having instructed a representative and a lawyer, I'm going to end up bloody well having to do that myself now. I can't even get an answer from either of them as to what they have done as yet.

Is there no one on our side except us?

Yes, that is exactly what it means AT. It means 'oh well I don't know anything about that so can't help you there'.

It's a disgrace, but you know that.

But then, if top lawyers don't use those laws and challenge with them why would they?

You should have replied with delight 'oh could I?'

Our solictor has Human Rights, Education Law, Immigration Law and Benefits Law specialists.

I did try to get a mainstream local solictor to represent me through disputes with the LA but they just sneered and refused to take it on.

Mmm, well I am with one of the education law experts in the country and it's still like getting blood out of a stone trying to get them to make a decision on anything.

Trouble is changing now would cost even more.

Seriously AT, start up your own practice. I'll work for you for free whilst you are starting up. Charge half what others charge and then be generous where you can when you can with your time. You'll need to cover your costs and insurances etc. Recruit staff and volunteers and angry parents and offer affordable training to independent experts who are good but not tribunal experienced and therefore cost less.

Agree with Gloria. I'll volunteer - have had experience running a business (totally different type of business though).

Thanks guys. We'd make a fab team!

I would really need Tribunal experience - although I must say most of the big name solicitors seem to dump the hearings on barristers and run a mile. Something I would never have done in practice.

I couldn't do Tribunals all over the place with my own commitments. At the moment I need a home based job. I could offer advice but not representation.

I have my own website name a I could trade under but would need to renew a practising certificate. I couldn't hold myself out to be an education lawyer.

Perhaps I need to start trailing one locally. They are not easy to find.

Definitely something to think about particularly after the last lot of crap, incompetent advice I have just received from my own 'expert' lawyer. Seriously, she couldn't even get the basic facts right. I'm just a chequebook to her

Wet - who did you use? You seemed impressed by them. Can you PM me?

Will do