Is it okay for them to do this?

[Stressedoutmummyof3]

When you are waiting to go for meditation to try and get your child a place in a special needs school, is it normal for a member of staff from the EHCP team to phone up and persuade you not to go to mediation..
I have received two calls from EHCP telling me not to bother with mediation and I feel so pressured/bullied.
I want mediation as if it works it will be quicker than going to tribunal (which will take over a year). I just want to know if it's normal/okay for them to phone me and put pressure on me not to attend about mediation.

Normal? Yes
Okay? No

Stand your ground.

What are they proposing you do instead of mediation?

Some on here have had bad experiences of mediation. On the other hand, in our LA, mediation has been very successful. It's a bit of luck whether it will be successful for you, or not.

It is sometimes normal for LAs to try this. They shouldn’t, but they do. Ignore.

Personally, I wouldn’t bother with mediation, especially for BFI. If the LA would change their mind at mediation, they can concede an appeal. But then you haven’t wasted time if they don’t agree.

They have suggested going straight to tribunal but that's over a year waiting. I know we will probably have to do this anyway but I'm hoping there's a chance we won't. Despite what they say there is new evidence. The fact school have had to reduce his hours and the SALT report happened after the pannel made their decision.
I'm absolutely broken through. I have a constant stress headache and can't cope with small things going wrong. Now I'm obviously not sleeping either. I'm done with it. How do you find the energy to keep fighting.
My poor little boy failed by everyone.

I would just appeal. The LA can always concede.

If DS is not attending school full time, you can request an expedited hearing.

Why is DS on a reduced timetable? Is everything currently detailed, specified and quantified in F still being provided? How old is he? If he is compulsory school aged, is alternative provision in place?