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4 weeks to tribunal and my school state they can't meet his needs

7 replies

bjkmummy · 16/01/2013 23:46

So fed up and angry. It's an aspergers special school. They told the LA before Xmas they could not meet his needs as I had sent them the working document with all the OT needs in and because of this said they couldn't meet his needs.

School didnt tell me u til last week. Spoke to them again and after taking advice from my OT reassured them and they said thats fine we can meet his needs. Final submissions today and la send me a letter the head wrote on Friday saying no still can't meet his needs and again he didn't think to contact me!

La are trying to name a mainstream school with asd unit. One one hand says its a specialist school placement so no access to autism outreach but then go on to say that he will be in the mainstream full time. He is now completely out of school because he cannot cope in his present school. This school twice the size. Every single report states he needs a specialist school place. LA obviously seized that as my school said no as did another special school than of course a mainstream can meet his needs??!, my son previous went to this school and we embed him after 6 weeks as it was so poor so they are trying to place him there again! The head said he flourished when he was last there - a complete lie as I removed him!

No way will he go back there plus he will be there for 2 years only.

I have an independent school coming to assess him tomorrow . It was the school I originally considered but went for the other school as thought it would be an easier fight but I got that wrong! Independant school can meet all of his needs, other children in county go but of course it's expensive £40k a year compared to the LA £18k hen the transport going to be pretty expensive.

So fingers crossed the assessment goes okay tomorrow and then I have the nightmare of trying to name another school. I have no doubt the LA going to ask for an adjournment if I do but everyone keep everything crossed for me.

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pinkorkid · 17/01/2013 00:03

Everything crossed for you - stick to your guns, their suggested mainstream provision as solution to special school being unable to meet needs makes no sense and will surely backfire on them. We had similar inappropriate placements offered before La backed down. Hoping it will be the same for you.

StarlightMcKenzie · 17/01/2013 00:08

Similar happened to us. We got independent SS as a settlement - eventually.

Don't stress. It will all play out. I don't think this is necessarily a bad step nor something that will be bad for your case.

bjkmummy · 17/01/2013 00:36

A good friend came round earlier and I was stressing as a lot of it about OT. My friend reassured me as she said the letter clearly states he's going to mainstream - my reports all say he can't cope. She said thats the end of it. The school say they can meet his needs but they can't so I don't need to stress about OT because they have fallen at the first hurdle. I just wish it was that simple not to worry but I suppose it's the joy of tribunal!

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bjkmummy · 21/01/2013 18:36

well i had an independent school to see him last thursday - a school i had considered at the very beginning but went with my school choice as thought they LA would be more inclinded to agree which didnt really work out. the independent school phoned this morning and they do have a place so have made the offer of a place - very relieved but now got the battle to show that teh mainstream cant meet his needs and this is the only school that can. will be a battle as its an independent day school. emailed tribunal to request changes to school and witnesses. had an email back today from the tribunal to say i am having a phone call from them tomorrow to discuss how things are going and if the case is ready - think it is just a coincidence that its happening tomorrow but quite nervous about it as i want the tribunal to go ahead as hes been out of school since june.

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Icedcakeandflower · 21/01/2013 20:47

Glad to hear you have a school sorted. Good luck :)

mariammama · 21/01/2013 21:05

Not co-incidence.
LA presumably didn't know about your plan B so have called tribunal,
saying poor woman's plan A is off and she doesn't like ours
so please give her lots more time to look around every school in the area Hmm

bjkmummy · 21/01/2013 21:26

Not sure as the letter states 'tribunal is trialling a new system for updating information in preparation for the final hearing of the tribunal and I have been selected to participate. The aim is to make sure everyone is properly prepared for the hearing and ensure the real issues of the case are identified and everyone is fully prepared'

So guessing it may just be a coincidence but hopefully will find out more tomorrow - call will last 5 - 10 minutes only and LA will get the same call. Our replies will then be given to the panel

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