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Original poster

When should I receive the electronic version of the working document from my LA?

20 replies

adrianna22 · 06/04/2015 13:28

Just wondering when I should receive the working document from my LA.

Judging by the tribunal scale times, I should hear a response from my LA in two weeks time. I'm not sure if it then if I'll receive the electronic copy of the working document.

Also, I'm not sure if they have my email address to send it to. Do I need to contact me LA officer about this? I'm just a bit nervous contacting them since they know (I'm sure) that I've appealed.

OP posts:

bjkmummy · 06/04/2015 14:50

im sure my order said that the La were to send it when the LA lodged their response to the tribunal - have you got to that time line yet?

Original poster

adrianna22 · 06/04/2015 15:02

Thanks for replying bjk.

Yes I have the timeline regarding the LA's response. I should hear from them in two weeks time.

Wasn't sure if I would receive the WD as part of the LAs response.

OP posts:

bjkmummy · 06/04/2015 15:06

you may do or they may send it separately - each LA seem to work to their own timeline when it comes to the WD!!

WhoKnowsWhereTheChocolateGoes · 06/04/2015 15:09

I got my response on Thurs (the due date) but no WD yet.

fairgame · 06/04/2015 17:12

I got mine with the LA response. If it doesn't come with their response then contact them. Don't be scared to contact them my sen officer was lovely throughout my appeal, it was the senior sen officer that was a bitch.

Original poster

adrianna22 · 06/04/2015 18:40

Thanks everyone for replying.

Thanks fairgame, I'm going to wait till the LA's response and if I don't receive the WD by then, I'll just have to contact them.

OP posts:

bjkmummy · 06/04/2015 19:04

how many weeks left to you hearing Adrianna?

Original poster

adrianna22 · 06/04/2015 19:14

Hi bjk. My hearing is in mid June, so not long left...

OP posts:

bjkmummy · 06/04/2015 19:17

same as me then Adrianna but my LA response is not due for another 3 weeks yet - we are on a fast tracked appeal though so im just sat here thinking im not going to have that many weeks to sort out the WD. with my other son I got it about 10 weeks before the tribunal so around now for you

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 06/04/2015 19:36

Mine's not till mid July.

KOKOagainandagain · 07/04/2015 08:31

My LA did not produce an electronic version at all. Tribunal ordered them to produce a WD by a particular date as they were overdue so I 'kindly' wrote it for them and sent it prior to the date ordered by tribunal. This version remained intact until the day of the hearing where the LA brought another version - one paper copy only. We asked for an electronic version but, guess what, the LA computer system was password protected and the document couldn't be accessed. FS was my advocate so then sat in the waiting room typing up the document whilst I went through the paper version with my expert witnesses as the LA, cheeky monkeys, had removed all references to expert reports from the statement and we had to identify who said what and put the references back in.

The WD is supposed to pass backwards and forwards between the 'parties' and it is in the interests of tribunal that as much is agreed as possible before the hearing which can then focus on the sticking points. This means that in reality the tribunal will let the LA make amendments right up until hearing. This won't happen though if there is nothing to negotiate - nothing would have made m/s possible for DS1 but at the same time nothing (apart from tribunal) would persuade the LA to fund indi ss.

Icimoi · 07/04/2015 12:46

Some LAs insist on sending them via so-called secure external websites, which is a pain in the neck - you have to go through the whole process of registering for the website, remembering your password etc etc and then you can't access the email later if you want to. The standard direction requires the LA to send the WD to you by email so, if they that trick, I suggest you insist on a standard and accessible email. You're entitled to do so under the tribunal rules.

Original poster

adrianna22 · 07/04/2015 13:49

bjkmummy and whoknowswhere.. I had no idea you guys were appealing to tribunal. What are you appealing against? and do you feel prepared?

Keepon.. I can't believe they did that!! What was the verdict of your appeal, did the LA fund the indi SS.

icimoi Thanks, I'll do exactly that.

OP posts:

bjkmummy · 07/04/2015 14:03

this is number 4 for me - in fact I will be doing my 3rd one in a year which is some going I guess - this should be the last one hopefully as its a 2 3 and 4 for secondary in sept so fast tracked so my dates much more compacted as its a 14 week timeline from start to finish. as I have now done so many yes im ready - indies all booked to do updates - first one this Saturday, witnesses booked, LA have already asked me to withdraw but said no until they put all my indie reports into the statement plus we are going for an indie school and cant see them agreeing to that any time soon then I fully expect this one will go ahead.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 07/04/2015 14:14

Mine is a part 2,3 and 4 for secondary transfer as well. I am halfway through getting all my indie updates and I am using a solicitor, however I got the shock of my life when I got the LA response last week, as they have conceded part 4, the school placement, which was by far and away my main concern. Still need a WD for parts 2 and 3 though, but it's possible we can resolve it without a hearing now. This is my second appeal, refusal to assess was conceded pre-hearing, so I haven't been to an actual tribunal yet.

bjkmummy · 07/04/2015 15:46

that's good who knows - my LA haven't even shown their hand yet so don't even know which school im fighting against which I think is their plan. im hoping that they do the right thing but after 3 tribunals im not particulary hopefully - this is the 3rd tribunal on this child alone as had a refusal to assess and a NIL appeal to get to to this point.

KOKOagainandagain · 07/04/2015 16:49

LA conceded at lunch time. With all the delay we did not get started until about 11.30. None of my witnesses were needed. The LA first offered small in county m/s Indi, then in county Indi ss then parental preference of OOC Indi ss. No wait for tribunal ruling and no right of appeal for the LA and DS1 started 2 weeks after hearing. (Gone to shit since though )

bjkmummy · 07/04/2015 16:52

how are things going now keep ?????

Icimoi · 07/04/2015 18:12

KeepOn, have you tried asking for costs? BJK, was it you who succeeded in getting an order that the LA pay costs when they conceded at the hearing?

KOKOagainandagain · 07/04/2015 18:22

Bjk - bad . Taking legal advice of what the hell to do so can't say more - also don't wish to hijack adriana's thread.

Application for costs was refused as LA argued that they came to hearing fully prepared to defend the case but were, apparently, blown away by the -only parental evidence (repeat of written contributions).

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