Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

Original poster

Run-up to Tribunal

53 replies

TOWIELA · 01/07/2013 15:09

I'm now one week away from Tribunal. Has any one got any tips for the day?

From my time on here, I've learnt that I should wear my best "mumsy" clothes. Hmmm that's difficult as I either have office/suit clothes or very very comfy casuals. I was thinking a summer dress?

I've also read that I should take food and water - water so I don't have to queue up with "them" near the water machine.

Any other tips to cope with the day? Am I allowed my massive lever-arch file into the Tribunal room? And my handbag/briefcase?

OP posts:
Original poster
TOWIELA · 08/07/2013 14:40

It's at the end of the week so still a few more days to go. I feel like I did before going into an exam! Will be glad when it's all over - whatever is the outcome.

OP posts:
beautifulgirls · 08/07/2013 20:54

Not so much on the day, but on the night of the hearing when we had gone home absolutely exhausted I was expecting to sleep like a log having been awake much of the night before and having had a very long day at the hearing. I went to bed and hardly slept the whole night. It was so hard to switch off afterwards. Try and keep your next day as free as possible just to recharge a bit.

On the day - remember that these people are being paid to pick holes in your efforts and try not to take these things personally. The panel we had clearly saw the huge gaps in the LA arguments and put them in their place pretty well. If you are polite and calm and just make this all about need and provision you will be taken seriously. It is very tough to hear some of the lies or double standards that are paraded around at the hearing by the other side.

MumuDeLulu · 09/07/2013 22:47

Good luck. Remember we're all there with you in spirit.

Put a goose screensaver on your phone, and a carrot baton in your pocket, in case you forget.

Original poster
TOWIELA · 10/07/2013 13:53

Thanks everyone. On a more practical note... I am notorious in my family for a weak bladder which is worse when I'm nervous. Will I be able to 'pop out' without the Tribunal having to break?

OP posts:
Original poster
TOWIELA · 10/07/2013 18:08

What's the form on late evidence? I have some late evidence we need to be admitted - the LA's own publicly available SEN policy document. We will be asking the panel to allow the evidence at the start of the hearing. Will it be allowed?

OP posts:
alwaysfightingforsomething · 10/07/2013 18:45

Can't help with any advice I'm afraid as I'm still waiting for my own tribunal. I didn't know LA's had their own SEN policies!
Just wanted to wish you luck (from one Towie to another Wink)

StarlightMcKenzie · 10/07/2013 20:20

Yes. Tell them you'll be regularly referring to it during the hearing and offer them the document to 'help'.

beautifulgirls · 10/07/2013 20:25

Both we and the LA had late evidence on the day. Unless the other side objects (with good reason) then it is unlikely the panel will deny you that evidence.

nennypops · 10/07/2013 20:43

Technically the evidence is something you could have submitted before presumably, unless it's new guidance. However, the LA can hardly claim to have been taken by surprise so with luck they won't object.

KOKOagainandagain · 11/07/2013 20:46

If your hearing was today I hope it went well Smile

If it is tomorrow, stay calm. Smile

Honking for you!

Original poster
TOWIELA · 11/07/2013 21:23

Tomorrow. GULP

Lots of last minute fun & games over the last 24 hours tho.

Needing those honks!

OP posts:
uggerthebugger · 11/07/2013 21:29

Stay calm, stay frosty, and everything crossed for you here Wink

Summerhasloaded · 11/07/2013 21:33

Honking for you x

armani · 11/07/2013 22:41

Good luck for tomorrow op! Remember we are all here rooting you on and thinking of you :)

jiggles01 · 11/07/2013 23:04

Been following your story ...you have a great team with you .
Good luck !!!

inappropriatelyemployed · 11/07/2013 23:17

Big big honks for you buddy!!! you can do it xx

KOKOagainandagain · 12/07/2013 07:32

Extra loud honks for today!!

Smile
Original poster
TOWIELA · 12/07/2013 19:55

Thank you all for your support for today.

First up, we won't know for 2 weeks. I don't want to predicate anything but the LA case is very weak on both ability to provide and the extra cost even if they could buy in the provision.

I felt we had a very fair hearing. The judge and panel were very good. I had to give a lot of evidence about a specific area of my DS's dx, which left me emotionally drained in the room and now afterwards. But I felt my voice was finally heard.

LA tried to remove a medical dx. There were no medical witnesses in the room, the panel wasn't pleased, and ultimately the LA gave up trying to remove it.

We were all done by 3:30.

So now we sit and wait.

OP posts:
alwaysfightingforsomething · 12/07/2013 20:08

Ooh, I've been looking for an update.
Sounds like you did o.k. Fingers crossed.
How the hell could they attempt to remove a dx though? Confused

Original poster
TOWIELA · 12/07/2013 21:26

It has been one hell of a year. Sitting here with my glass of wine, I feel that I can finally, at last, start coming to terms with my son's dx and all that means for him and his future.

I haven't been able to until now as I've so busy fighting for him.

I will NEVER forgive one person who was in the room today. Until my dying day I will never forgive her for what she put my DS and family through the last 18 months.

OP posts:
zumbaleena · 12/07/2013 22:01

Were you represented :-)?

Original poster
TOWIELA · 12/07/2013 22:07

Yes. By a maestro conductor.

OP posts:
zumbaleena · 12/07/2013 22:14

Can u pm me the name pls? :-)

Original poster
TOWIELA · 12/07/2013 22:35

Initials are JF

OP posts:
MumuDeLulu · 12/07/2013 22:36

Towie. If you hate her forever, she won't give a f**k. Some messed-up folk seem to get off on bullying people at their most vulnerable, and causing 'fight or flight' responses.

If, however, you somehow communicate your joy at justice being done, and your gracious forgiveness to her, it will rob her of the 'bully' role.. Little by little, your failure to respond as predicted will get under her skin, and your active-revenge-by-means-of-turning-the-other-cheek will continue to chafe and annoy her subconsciously till her dying day.