Tribunal next week. Guess the 3 LA witnesses?!

[youarenotkiddingme]

So tribunal is next week and LA called or rather stated they had 3 witnesses attending.

They have made no application for change that I know of.

1- is OT who currently travelling around the world
2- is senco of school he was too anxious to attend as couldn't meet his needs
3- is the old EP not the one who saw him recently.

6 weeks ago as evidence deadline approached they said they didn't change their stance.

I'm thinking WTF? Are they really going to call someone back from the other side of the world, someone who I can actually state couldn't meet his needs and someone who originally suggested a specialist unit/group?

It's astonishing how they think they are (and they're right) not bound by the same rules. Wish the courts would just say, 'sorry you're not taking this seriously, you lose!' Herts (name and shame) are trying all sorts of tricks to pressurise our school into not backing our case. Good luck next week, let us know what they were up to.

Well that's the thing. What are they up to? Are they really going to persue this or just doing a delay tactic.

Give up last minute and then miss deadlines because it's Christmas, refuse to issue and drag out another 8 months to another tribunal?

I'm thinking as they refused to concede 3 weeks before deadline if they do so now I should make a complaint? And ask outcome to be that they issue draft by X date as per statutory guidance?

Have you rung the SENDIST number? They are usually pretty helpful.

But what can I ask them? Can I ask them if LA have applied for changes for witnesses?

Or should I be really brazen and email LA and point out I've tried to contact DS OT prior to tribunal in order to confirm some information prior to tribunal and it turns out she's in OZ? Then ask them to inform me if they intend to a) proceed and/or b) make changes?

They haven't responded to my email stating I have further evidence of X and y and will be asking tribunal to allow it on the day and if they oppose this or not? They have a copy of the evidence! (Which disproves one of their defences!)

Keep your head down if the hearing is next week. At some point someone will wake up and look at the file, and they will either sort out different witnesses or begin to think seriously about conceding. The tribunal is normally very relaxed about people changing witnesses at a late stage. If you alert the LA to the problem, however, there is a chance that you will be helping them which obviously isn't in your interests.

They are definitely up to something.

I've received a new attendence form today and they've called senco of MM placement, senco of old placement and head of student services from old placement.

2/3 witnesses come from a school DS ended up too anxious to attend and who didn't progress him in literacy and the other is from a school who extended the trial as DS needs are high and who themselves said DS gets more support than any other student they have who doesn't have an EHCP.

I have a call back from IPSEA Monday so hoping they can help me formulate some questions.

First one will be how did you meet his needs on Sen support when he made no progress in literacy, spelling, reading comprehension and regressed in emotional stability and self regulation of emotion?

That's my feeling.

Even better the late evidence I have to apply to have included on day shows DS has made no progress with some of the Sen support. So I'll happily ask the la why they haven't responded to my email asking if they'll oppose the evidence and why do they oppose it? Because if they are seeking best possible outcome for this child they'll welcome any evidence!