Tribunal next week

[bjkmummy]

how scary is that writing that - I guess it means that the LA have until tomorrow to concede which is not going to happen. still awaiting to hear from the tribunal if the LA application for adjourn is allowed - will wait for the post to come today and then will ring them this afternoon to see if anything has happened yet. I know my nerves are all over the place but im guessing the pressure also on LA and school as they both chase each other to find out whats happening.

im still ready though!

Crossing fingers.

Just realised that we may have had almost the same dates!

You're going to ring them specifically to ask them if they have conceded?

You're got brass!!!!

Oh, misread. You are going to call the TRIBUNAL.... ha ha ha!

Look at a calendar. Look at the day after the tribunal day. That's what you're aiming for, and that is where you're going. It's not too long to wait.

yes I know quite a lot of people who had the same or the day/before after me when I began this 'journey' - im now the last one standing - nothing in the post from the tribunal today so going to give them a ring and see if anything has happened.

And agreeing with starlight - the sooner it happens, the sooner it's over.

Are you in touch with the writers of The Thick of It?

oh goodness star - theres no way this is going to be conceded - I meant that the LA have only up to tomorrow to concede as cant do it within 5 days of the hearing now. ive just spoken to the tribunal service and they have the LA application and my objection but it has still not yet reached a judge - apparently it will be some time this week!!!

im not speaking to the LA - I have no intention of phoning them etc - feel like its the last stand off as to who will blink first. my social worker emailed last week want to see me the day before the hearing and I said no as I was busy that day preparing my appeal paperwork knowing as she sits in the same office that will go straight back - she emailed me back and said fine and now seeing me the week after.

had a flurry of stuff this morning from the LA but all good stuff, extra direct payments, more 1:1 aiming high hours for the next year.

was a bit mischevious today and sent in my daughter indie reports to her class teacher/senco (the one who is refusing to attend) for 'information' the reports are in the tribunal bundle so shes going to see them anyway but thought would be better if she is sent them from me as a concerned parent. Think she will be spluttering on her coffee when she reads them as she has repeatedly said 'no concerns' a

also got a letter today from the NHS OT re another appointment for them to start therapy with her which I will also take with me next week to show that there are real concerns both indie and NHS OTwise

must keep signing 'past the duchie' the only way to get through the next week of madness I think.

I mean SINGING!!! goodness I am losing the plot!!!

Why don't you sing AND sign it?

They can withdraw right up to the morning, maybe not by rules but they don't follow those. Just saying it does happen. In my experience about 1 week before tribunal a senior manager looks at the case often for the first time and sometimes the plug gets pulled then if they feel not defensible. But often they go ahead even if they think they will lose on basis it's only a day out office for them and they may get a duff panel and sling enough mud to stop you. Keep ringing the tribunal daily just check no developments. I often get impression at annual review they discussed our case for 5 mins day before as anything they suggest is never thought through but more back of a fag packet ideas to reduce statement. So often I think senior managers take a look very late in the day.

the reality for me agnes sadly is that even if they concede or we win , they will more than likely issue a NIL so im in for a long gruelling ride. its 3 years today we have been in this area and since the day I have arrived I have done nothing but fight for the children - granted have 3 with SEN hasn't helped things but my god its draining and for my daughter this is going to be the hardest fight of my life. Im actually doing okay - I know theres nothing I can do now but wait and even if they get their adjournment it will be fine - will just carry on and keep going. and then I remember also everything that I have achieved and how happy the boys are so the fighting is worth it. I also remember that most of the fighting was due to the LA appalling behaviour - not mine and anyone who really knows me will say that I have only ever done what has been right and not fought just for the sake of it but because my LA have behaved in an awful way.

Good Luck bjk it will be done soon.

I was really nervous before mine a few weeks ago but the panel were really good and made the experience the least scary it could be.

I hope you get a good panel and good luck

I think you may need to Bogart the duchie not pass it

Just keep going. There are lots of DC at DS's school with 'just' spld - hell of a fight but not impossible.

its quite empowering knowing that how ever nervous I may be my case is ready and prepared whereas the LA /school will be praying for the adjournment as they aren't so the pressure is on them. although what an adjournment in reality is going to achieve for the LA case I have no idea except to delay it - im not going to go away - found myself singing my head off to the song 'titaninum' back from the school run this morning - think that will be my song of choice for the next week.

and also ive done this once before - last time they had a barrister - the sen officer is in the hot seat this time and I am actually looking forward to that part and how she handles the panel. its her decisions that have taken us to this place so she will have to answer some very difficult questions from the panel.

wonder if I will be fortunate enough to get the same judge again?

Loads of our kids are at independent schools though we were told no 'severe' enough for a statement.

It's just a story.

There are no guarantees with tribunals and they are no way as objective, consistent, knowledgable as they should be, but it's the best chance you have and whatever happens you have the evidence that you need to demonstrate to your DD that you have fought for her and will continue to.

You can hold your head up high, give it your best shot. The odds appear to be in your favour but if not, there will be other things and ultimately another potential crack at it if needed.

From your description they don't sound though they even believe they have a case. I expect the tribunal to go ahead tbh as a training opportunity for the Head of SEN.

I'm sure they don't read these reports or think things through. You can't come out this worse than you went in.

Try listening to "something inside so strong" I know that I can make it, though you are me wrong - so wrong. That's my song of choice lol!

Kick some butt!

Am in awe of you doing this three times. I know I could do a tribunal again if I had to but also know what an awful toll it takes on you. Hope it's over sooner rather than later.

I could do it again too Agnes but my Goodness, I am thankful every year that goes by that I don't. I won't even have the novelty next time, just the tediousness of it all and will be starting from a position not yet recovered from the last go.

I am totally in awe too.

just had our 3rd earthquake in the space of 2 weeks - even the forces of nature are not agreeing with my LA and sending them a sign to concede quite worrying though the amount we are suddenly happening

Me too star. Every year I am expecting it and so relieved if we get another year without a fight. Not that it feels like we ever stop fighting but at least it's not the same scale. We have finally after 5 years got a good team. ABA, private SLT and moved DS to a school with the right attitude. For the first time we don't have a weak link or chocolate teapot on board (last school, NHS SLT). I absolutely know at annual review the LA response to everything going well will be to remove some part of the support / dismantle it!

That's another thing I have to balance as well with her twin being in the indie school, year 6 is fast approaching and my worry is that they try and move him for secondary although there is no school he could go to as part 4 specifically names an asd specialist school but I just do not trust them. The tribunal was about primary so they will use that against us if it comes to it. They didn't challenge anything at the last AR but know that want last. My elder son has also his year 9 transition AR this year as well so I could be doing lots and lots of fighting this year. Just wish LA would understand the absolute strain they put us under as families. After all this has finished I'm off to speak to my councillor and explain the absolute stress and strain all of this puts us under. I'm trying to build up the strength to go to the LGO as well. I didn't last year and I now regret it as the LA behaviour is now even worse than before, they have learnt nothing just picked up an even bigger stick to hit me with this time and hope it works. (It won't!)

Once this is all over, I really do hope you go to the LGO. But from my experience, I've learnt you can't complain just about appallingly bad behaviour - it has to be something they've done which has broken either the law or the SEN CoP. So I couldn't complain about the endless lies and bullying and psychological pressure and the plain nastiness of my LA.

So I got them in the end of not serving on any potential LA school my DS's Statement in its entirety (including ALL the reports). As a bi-product of that, LGO also found that there had been very poor administration because the LA hadn't kept records properly. Including supposed hand-serving of documents and telephone conversations that didn't happen and no note of such happenings had been put on my DS's file. So they didn't happen - although LGO said she believed the phone calls did happen

Well I've got them on that towie re the SEN panel process. The put her case before panel without half of the stuff it then escalated into a farce - their own 'policy' sets out how the panel should be done so they haven't followed their own policy. Of course there's more but that's my step in the door plus the 'home' visits. They state couldn't email things to be as my email not secure hence the home visit but the tribunal email me, the LA solicitor last year emailed me numerous time including serving all the final evidence bundle. I wish I could bring in her brother case now into the LGO by the back door so to speak. But this is all for another date, need to get to k ow this blooming tribunal is going ahead first!