Have any other Mumsnetters been harassed by your la’s after winning Sendist tribunals?

[Tarano17]

I want to enquire if any other Mumsnetters have been harassed by your la’s after winning Sendist tribunals for your dcs. Just won 2 tribunals for both my dcs, gaining them a lot of support which they desperately needed and now am being repeatedly harassed by my la as they are very angry about losing. Has any other Mumsnetters had this type of experience? We live in South East London & our la is well known with bad rep for not providing sufficient supporting to SEN children

In what way are they harassing you? I'd suggest contacting SOS SEN for support, I've heard they enjoy sorting out bullying LA officers.

How shocking
I worry about having to fight for provision soon.

They are harassing me so many ways I am unable to state on an open forum. I do wonder if they are doing it in an attempt to provoke a situation so they can avoid my dcs starting their new schools in September and avoid paying for private schools, lots of support, etc etc ordered by Sendist for them. They are super angry at losing both my dcs Sendist tribunals. Sendist even noted the la conduct towards us in their decision during the tribunal process as la was so bad with Sendist stating they hoped the la did not obstruct dcs EHCPs any further. thanks for advice. I will try SOS SEN.

Good luck Tarano. That is really shocking. Please keep evidence and record each incident as it happens. Maybe cc in head of SEND and these guys each week to show ongoing pattern? Take advice from SOS SEN though, they will have seen it all I'm sure. Don't let the bastards grind you down. Keep us posted x

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) looks at complaints about councils and some other authorities and organisations, including education admissions appeal panels and adult social care providers ...

Can I ask about the tribunals themselves? We have our hearing date in October. We are challenging the setting, and put a decent case forward with our appeal form. We are just wondering what else we could/should do between now and the deadline for evidence.

I'm so sorry your LA are hassling you. My LA are notoriously awful too, so I know how it feels to be constantly faced with obstructions.

Jamoncrumpets I had lots of independent specialist professional reports and evidence for each dc. IMO highly specialist independent evidence is key and get professionals who will attend hearing. Also we would not have won without a great education solicitor who knew education law inside out and who could quote case law as required during hearing. Wish you the very best with your tribunal in October.

No money for any of those things I'm afraid. Will just have to do my best on my own.

jamoncrumpets, are you also challenging sections B and F? The LA will have written section F so that it supports their placement, and ideally you want provision in F that your placement can supply but the LA one can't. However, you will only get that if you have independent evidence supporting it.

If you can't get professional evidence yourself, you might be able to get the tribunal to order the LA to get it, though it won't be great quality. On the other hand there are one or two charities that fund independent reports.

Update for all Mumsnetters regarding further harassment by my la. Despite my winning 2 Sendist tribunals for dcs I just found out that my la social services are refusing to fund the 25 nights respite a year ordered by Sendist to occur as and when my family require respite. My South East London LA are now refusing to fund respite ordered by Sendist occuring at weekends as they say it costs more than Monday to Thursday so will only fund respite occurring during the week. This means i can not go on holiday for one long overdue rest a year despite not having a holiday for the last 6 years respite periods can not be for longer than 4 days. This is one example of how they are harassing me so OPs be on guard at Sendist tribunals to ensure any respite ordered by Sendist is clarified on the Sendist order to occur as OPs need it and NOT on days when is cheapest for LA to fund it. My SE LA are the worst.