Can't believe it, panel cancelled again

[starfish71]

Just had a call from LEA case officer, DS's case can't be heard at panel today as one of the panel has rang in sick.

Two weeks ago it went to panel, but because there wasn't an EP on the panel it was decided that they hadn't followed procedure and it was to go again to panel today.

I am fuming and really upset, it will now go to panel next Thursday, it has been a crap week.

DH off today so he took the call, I think I would have screamed down the phone.

I want to go back to bed :(

Starfish, you must feel so fed up. No-one can help getting sick but they should also have contingency plans in place surely so that someone else can step in if one person on the panel isn't available. I would put a complaint in writing that their disorganisation is causing unnecessary delays. Also AFAIK there is nothing in sencop saying decisions need to be made by panel, the ultimate responsibility is the head of sen's plus there are timescales they need to keep to. Can you ask them to guarantee a date when they will give you a decision?

Thanks pink, I realise that these things happen but they do seem to be happening to me a lot at the moment, feeling sorry for myself I know!

Yes think I will draft a letter later just as you say, asking for them to guarantee a date when I will have final decision.

Apparently it was a Head teacher ill this week, EP last week...

No, you are not feeling sorry for yourself, you are feeling justifiably angry that they are messing you around. Sending you large box of chocs and to keep that anger fuelled and I hope make you feel a bit better.

How incredibly frustrating, especially if you're already having a bad week. :(

Everything crossed for you that next week is better and ends with a decision in your favour.

How frustrating! I agree they should at this point commit to a date that they will get the decision to you. It's not on to keep delaying.

Pinkorkid is right it is the head of SEN who has ultimate responsibility for statement issuing. They should also have contingency plans for ill memebrs - its not like no-one is ever ill is it?
A letter of complaint may or may not help but will certainly make you feel better.

How hard on you all. And what a catalogue of errors it seems to be from the LA. Don't blame you for feeling like you do - I remember a thread from you a few weeks ago waiting for the panel results (? might have got this wrong), I can't believe you're still being messed around.

Definitely write to them, it might not make any differnce but will make you feel better, and have it on record that they've delayed things so badly.

Is your ds having any home tuition yet in the meantime?

Thank you all for support. Thanks pink for the choc and tea :)

We had a pupil support officer round this week to start working with DS, DS wouldn't come out of his room so chap sat on the stairs chatting to him. The idea is to start tutoring soon and the support officer will keep trying to gain DS's trust,

Just made me realise how bad things have got. BUT DS has said ( with lots of encouragement from us and my parents) he is going over to his grandparents tonight! They live just around the corner.

Fingers crossed! Me and DH are going on a NAS course tomorrow - understanding behaviour, so mum and dad can look after him tomorrow.

Oh reading that back sounds bad! I meant as we were going on the course it makes it easier if DS is over there for my mum and dad to look after!

DS did go over, hooray! Just hope he settles ok, but it is really good as he hasn't been over there for a couple of months.

Also my parents will pop over to collect Ds2 when he gets dropped home by taxi tomorrow so we can relax coming back from the course.

Don't think a one day course on understanding behaviour will scratch the surface with our two but am happy DH can come with me and it may help a bit.

Hope it goes well tomorrow. Good that you and dh will get a bit of a break.