Pre Tribunal Meeting - Help.......

[nickminiink]

Hi, just come back from my holiday and received a letter from SENA requesting a pre-tribunal meeting on the 13 th June, head of Sen from my sons school, LEA EP and SEN case officer will be present basically everyone attending the tribunal. Our tribunal for refusal of a statement is on the 15th, So 2 days apart. Is this normal and standard practice, what am I to expect as I can't see the point of this meeting, unless they are going to grant the statement, as I'm not backing down with 2 days to go. Just confused why now and not say 3 months ago.
Anyone been in a similar position, not sure what to expect or say as everthing will be said at the tribunal

Any help would be very much appreciated

Thanks

I know it has really pissed me off, they must think they have a water tight case, now I'm doubting myself, my ability and if I have a chance. Thankfully ours is 2 days before fathers day, then be thinking about the decision as I'm guessing they don't tell you on the day

What a waste of your time that meeting would have been and probably, if you are anything like me, got you so wound up before tribunal when you need to focus all your energy for making your case on the day.

Am watching this very closely, wishing you lots of good luck

Thanks, what is has done is doubt my case now I am starting to feel the pressure :0(

That's what the LA is trying to do. Bastards.

No. If they had no case they'd still happily go to tribunal. It's the equivelent of a day out at Chessington world of adventures. Adrenaline rush and no risk to them personally!

Probably just fancied a power boosting appetiser - to increase the drama!

Stay sensible and focussed. This is not a game for you.

Tribunal won't criticise you for not negotiating 2 days before. They will see this for what it is.
We refused 2 meetings which were to go over same ground and nothing new and it was not an issue.
2 days before looks inappropriate.
If they had a strong case they would not resort to pressuring you.
It smacks of desperation on their part not strength.
Case officers frequently get sent to hearings they have no hope of winning on the basis that even a 10% chance of a win is worth the day out.
A much higher % of children at secondary have a Statement.
The tribunal will be wary of allowing more 'wait and see' time if there is already evidence of lack of progress. They know secondary teachers won't be able to be on top of targets in the way primary teachers can / should.
When you have a new teacher every lesson many will not even know what is in the IEP, its not like primary where one teacher is in control of the provision.

They are a bunch of shits aren't they? They love tying busy parents up in pointless meetings which serve no purpose other than trying to persuade you to see the error of your ways.

Then they use them to say they have been 'mediating' or negotiating when they have been doing nothing of the sort.

Formally write and decline.

Say, thank you for explaining that you wanted me to attend a meeting. Follow it with something like:

You confirmed that the purpose of the meeting was not to discuss the possible issue of a statement but to re-affirm your intention to refuse issue one. In view of the continued difference in our positions on this issue, we both agreed that a meeting would serve no practical purpose and that the decision will now have to be left to the Tribunal.

Thank you so much for all your comments and support, I feel better now. Need to stay focused, I'm sure this meeting had a purpose for them but in not playing into their arms. Thanks AE great advice shall email tonight

Thanks LeonieDelt, I'm so glad I found this forum, so much great advice and support, has helped so much.
Same to you we are in the same position
Good luck

I have spoken to so many parents who have appealed and the LEA pulled out one or two days before the hearing date. I sincerely hope that when they have this meeting, that is what they decide to do. In any case, good luck.

Steelev48 no such luck the meeting was so I would pull out and accept the NIL bloody cheek 2 days before. They confirmed they will not issue the statement and so I'm now not attending the meeting as there is no point, so tribunal we go.

I wouldn't give up hope that they will change their minds prior to Tribunal.

They have already said they will be meeting so the opportunity exists for them to change their minds.

I think they'll find it hard at Tribunal to argue against issuing a Statement when they obviously had sufficient evidence to warrant assessment and that assessment did produce a NIl rather than nothing at all.

Stay optimistic.

AE, love the polite yet assertive email style
[Maria takes yet more notes...]

Thanks WetAugust never thought of it like that, lets hope they all sit together on wednesday and agree to the statement before Friday.

mariamariam, I agree virutally used it word for word

Always get rid of the 'I think' or 'I feel's in letters and lay out the facts: you said this, I said that, we agreed this.

Don't invite comment and always write in a way you would be happy for the letter to be read at Tribunal - polite, constructive, purposeful, trying to move things on.

Not that LAs care about your style - they generally ignore anyway but don't write for them, write for Tribunal.