statement is awful - mediation or appeal?

[chocjunkie]

DD's final statement arrived a couple of days ago and it is awful.

just talked to Ipsea and they suggested it might be worth to try mediation first in the hope everything will be in place for september when DD starts school. I really want to get my appeal in but the chat wit Ipsea made me think . however, statement is bad, I mean really bad.

wwyd? appeal or mediation?

Appeal and the LA can see you mean business and mediation inbetween. If you put in an appeal now you could be looking at February for a tribunal date and if you put of putting in an appeal then you may have to wait longer for an appeal date if req. It is easy to pull out of an appeal if you settle before.

thanks wassup, this was my thinking as well.

Agree with wasuup. Appeal now, and carrry on taking.

Put the appeal in and try and negotiate a decent statement during the LOOONG wait for a tribunal hearing. You can pull out of an appeal at any time if you are happy with the AMENDED statement mediation/negotian produces.

Put in appeal. If nothing else the paperwork processing clarifies your thinking and argument making you a better negotiator.

do you mean I put the appeal in and approach the LA regardless re mediation? my guess is they will come back to me once they get notice of the appeal (checked FOIs and my LA seems to settle the overall majority of appeals before tribunal; they know their statement is shit and unlawful, they are just trying it on IMO)

When you put in your appeal include a statement that you are willing to work with the LA to resolve things at any stage.

You're right. They will approach you. Or not.

thanks star, will add that to the appeal