tri borough trouble

[Thinking2014]

Has anyone else heard about the triborough insisting on visits and not following government guidelines? I've had a few emails in the yahoo group asking everyone to sign the petition to help the families they're giving SAO's to.

Thought I should post the link here & hopefully more will sign, sounds like they really need help...

www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/westminster-la-triborough-services-andrew-christie-director-of-children-s-services-rewrite-home-education-policy-and-procedures-to-bring-them-in-line-with-government-guidance-and-drop-all-sao-proceedings-against-families-choosing-not-to-meet-the-la?share_id=HKMBomlpiv&utm_campaign=friend_inviter_chat&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition&utm_term=permissions_dialog_false

Let's show them how we stick together and stop them from doing whatever they want!

[morethanpotatoprints]

This is absolutely disgusting.
I will sign the petition but surely somebody just needs to tell them they are breaking the law in insisting on making visits.
I'm totally gob smacked they are getting away with it.

[Thinking2014]

morethanpotatoprints thank you, they need all the help they can get x

[muunk]

Signed x

[Saracen]

Done, thanks for sharing

[Thinking2014]

Thank you , I knew I could gain extra support here x

[windypolar]

Oh dear. This is the first I've heard about it. Though I'm really not surprised at all and fear this is not uncommon. The petition is only confined to Westminster LA? That is a pity. A few more need reminding I think

Though I do know of somebody in my area who, a few years ago, after sending a detailed report, ed phil, and filling in a questionnaire was told that their provision would be deemed unsuitable if the children weren't seen, due to safeguarding and they were forced into a visit.

[Thinking2014]

windypolar this is exactly what worries me & my other half & I believe even if you do meet with them they'll still give you an SAO, they'll just make up more reasons too!

Apparently going to court is pointless because they always side with LA .... :(

[Saracen]

"Apparently going to court is pointless because they always side with LA..."

Do you mean it is pointless to try to defend against a prosecution after the LA has issued an SAO? I had the opposite impression, that it's extremely difficult for the LA to prove that a child ISN'T being educated suitably at home and that the court usually sides with the parents. The law is quite vague on what constitutes a suitable education, which makes the burden of proof high. I don't know the figures though. I'd be very curious to know what proportion of cases are won by the LA.

I only mean cases where the parents actually decide to go to court and turn up on the day to make a defence. Apparently many parents feel intimidated by the SAO and send their children to school as soon as it is issued, without a prosecution even being brought. Some of them may think that the SAO is actually a legal judgement, rather than just something the LA has done for reasons of its own. Others may not want to go to court and will cave as soon as a prosecution is brought.

Two of my friends felt vulnerable and sent their children back to school against their better judgement as soon as an SAO was even threatened, believing that the threat of an SAO meant they'd be forced to school anyway. The result in each case was disastrous for the child, and the parent removed the child from school a second time, this time better armed with the knowledge that they were actually fairly unlikely to be prosecuted and even if they were, they could defend it successfully in court.

[windypolar]

I do think if an education of some sort is taking place, and the only reason for the court action and SAO was just because the LA wanted a visit in addition to any reports already supplied etc Then I can't see how they could be forced into school, and I hope the judge would be slightly cross at the time wasting, presumably at tax payer expense.

The person I know who was forced into a visit didn't have an SAO order issued, but I know the LA officer tried very hard to find fault with their provision and was there for over two hours questioning.

Still a horrible situation. I don't see how so many can get away with trying to disregard govt guidelines.

[windypolar]

I'm signing the petition, just to add. Obviously

[Thinking2014]

Saracen I hope you're right. If I was ever threatened or even issued with an SAO I'd try my hardest to fight it even to court but the stress must be crippling. I'd worry that the court would side with the LA and there's nothing I could do about it :-(

Thank you windypolar :-)

[morethanpotatoprints]

I am still trying to understand the cheek of these people, why they do it and what they hope to gain.
It is interesting why it is happening in this area, does anybody know why? I would assume with all the over subscribed schools in London, they'd be happy parents were turning to H.ed.

[KeeperOfBees]

I have also signed

[Thinking2014]

Thank you KeeperOfBees :)

Don't forget, everyone, to spread the word where you can too (online, word of mouth etc) pass it on to friends and family...

[windypolar]

Bump

[windypolar]

Four more signatures needed!

[QueenYnci]

Signed.

[windypolar]

Oh, the number of signatures needed has increased! 488 needed

[windypolar]

.

[windypolar]

bump

[Thinking2014]

Bump :-) pass it on over the net too please