LGO -decision WITHDRAWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[appropriatelyemployed]

My friends - it is not quite the end, but, one pre-action protocol letter and the LGO has WITHDRAWN their final judgment.

The battle for justice goes on.......

Truly happy (although very odd thing to be happy about - perhaps coz to read this is all like a comedy script ffs)

So now what happens, and what remedy should you get for this withdrawal? An apology, resignation, a lump sum!?

Only, a freshly concocted judgment - but this time, they will know, I WILL pursue this as far as I can if they do not do it right.

yeah!!!

Do you get someone who knows something this time?

Does this mean no JR atm?

No - no need for a JR as this means they have accepted we have a legal point and will look at it again.

I will try and make sure it goes to someone independent and who KNOWS something about the law!

But isn't there/won't there be an issue about the fact that you've had to threaten JR to get them to admit you have a point.

I suspect they are scared of JRs actually, as they really won't be able to keep up their pretence of justice etc. with a few of them going against them.

I will deal with the fact that I have had to take it this far in a complaint about the way the LGO have handled the whole case.

It is disgraceful that you should have to push it this far before they start taking you seriously. It would have been much easier, at very many points, to walk away.

I am not out of the woods yet, but, I went to great lengths before the issue of this judgment to ask for oversight by a fresh team and legal input. I was just disregarded.

But it is clear, the judgment as it stands, issued 18 months after I first complained (and after 3 prior provisional views) was legally flawed.

What an absolute disgrace.

wow!

i really admire the way you follow this through!

I admire your tenacity AE - nice one

Me too.

Mmm, my 9 year old Aspie's sense of injustice must be rubbing off on me!

That's a real result though AE!

And it makes a difference, to all of on this board. Thank you.

Good for you - it is inspiring, Star is right.

Thanks guys. Your support means so much.

I think it shows two things: firstly, sadly, you may not get anywhere with the LGO unless you are prepared to challenge them as far as you can (and even then there is nothing to stop them churning out some patched up judgment) and, secondly, and more positively, there is a clear legal point here about maladministration and their (LGO's and LAs') lax attitude to the very clear legal duties owed to our children.

Wow. Well done. Your persevereance is inspirational.

Totally amazing - well done. They are incompetent beyond even the LAs they are supposed to investigate. And your perseverance will hopefully clear the way, even if in a small way, for families coming after you.

Yes, well done AE. I have been thinking of complaining to the LGO but am really wondering if it'll be worth it .

I think if you want to complain, you should. But it may not be worth it and you should be prepared for disappointment and frustration. The LGO will bend over backwards not to find fault.

It may be worth exploring different option such as judicial review for failing to arrange provision for example.

Interestingly, I also discovered, with the help of my trustee mumsnetters, that our LA do not tell councillors about local settlements. Formal findings of maladministration get reported but not local settlements. Yet, local settlements contain both findings of maladministration and, usually, make requirements to pay compensation (using taxpayers money).

I will write to all my councillors now and bring this to their attention.

yay! Missed this!

it is a strange thing to be happy about but I am pleased for you that you are making them work for their money and sit up and listen.

Well done you! :)

Just saw this (must really up my mn time!)

WEll DONE!!! You are making a difference.

ae - YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!