Good luck bjkmummy!

[inappropriatelyemployed]

It's tomorrow isn't it? Mucho good luck. Will be thinking of you.

[NameChanger4]

Good luck from me too (they still have time to pull out ).

[AgnesDiPesto]

Good luck!

[bjkmummy]

No it's Tuesday - I'm still at centre parcs at the moment. Dh just bought me catch kidston bag as a good luck thing and to try and stop me stressing!

He's now outside getting the sauna ready so he can go in there no doubt to avoid me nagging him about it all!! Don't know if I'm ready or not. I've got evidence that he has made no progress , reports that state he needs specialist etc.

My main concern is that I say things correctly and don't fluff it as its my one and chance. A wise friends say that it's better to have tried and lost than never to have tried at all and have regrets which I agree with, if we lose he will be home educated as I cannot send him to the school the LA trying to name - already had to endure that school before - the day my elder son finished was like a lead weight being lifted of my shoulders and the thought of having to endure 2 years of it again, I just can't plus no way I will put my younger son through it. Some of the other people at centre parcs have children there and they were telling me that they have 4 sen children sharing one TA which is what I am guessing they will do with my son

[Dinkysmummy]

Good luck for tuesday! X

[2tirednot2fight]

Good luck

[EllenJaneisstillnotmyname]

Good luck. I now have Center Parcs envy.

[nupurkumarika]

V v good luck! I will be thinking of you

[StarlightMcKenzie]

' my one and chance'

I know it feels like it, but this isn't true. It will be a huge relief to sort things now, but if it doesn't work out there's tomorrow to try again.

Don't put that much pressure on yourself.

Does the LA know you're at CP atm?

[bjkmummy]

no they didnt know i was going - never mentioned it. it has impacted our plans as in we didnt leave until later on the friday 'just in case' anything happened - the tribunal did serve an order on us about 2.30pm in the afternoon re the LA attendance of the LA officer. Tribunal not happy that tehy have left it until last Tuesday to call her and saids they do not want there to be any surprises. I get a sense that with what has happened ie leaving it to the last possible minute to let us know re my school saying no.

we have also of course come back earlier today so we are home now. had a great time especially the kids but am going to save up to go again when we can fully enjoy it - this holiday was completely free.

the LA have consulted my new school choice as the head has contacted me. The LA gave her quited a detailed list of questions they want answering - its a desperate attempt to find a reason why my school cant meet his needs. the head sent me a copy of her reply and it is all fine - clearly states the OT and SALT input he will get and how they can meet his needs, peer group etc etc. The LA have not forwarded this letter to me so as far as they are concerned I havent seen it. I was thinking maybe they will hand it over as late evidence in the morning but then may revert to type and bury it and just not mention it exsists. I was intending on handing over his latest sick notes as late evidence and am thinking about putting this letter in myself if the LA dont raise it. There is so much evidence the LA have tried to hide. Interestingly they have not put forward any evidence at all re their school choice such as class sizes, OT, SALT, specialist teaching staff etc etc . Their porspectus is just a serious of photographs and at no point even mentions that they have speciliast provision which seems odd for a school that teh LA regard as a flagship with the SEN provision.

going to have a coffee then im going out for a couple of hours to browse the local shops and try and switch off for a bit. everything is ready and copied. i know the bundle reasonable well. the working documnet is colour coordinated with teh reports and everything is cross referenced so i can easily argue my amendments.

[AtoZandbackagain]

Slay 'em tomorrow - good luck!

[StarlightMcKenzie]

You need to take that letter and response tomorrow and ask why they haven't supplied it themselves given they are supposed to make available ALL evidence and be impartial, by law.

[KOKOagainandagain]

Wish you the best of luck bjk - you are determined and as well prepared as you can be - even a competent LEA official is only doing a job and will not have read reports properly whereas as I imagine you can quote chapter and verse and this really matters to you. Evoke your inner Ripley (but without the shaved head)

We will all be rooting (honking) for you.

[StarlightMcKenzie]

Is this still REALLY going to tribunal tomorrow?

REALLY?

[Icedcakeandflower]

Good luck - still time for them to fold! Mine did as soon as we entered the hearing room

[bjkmummy]

yep - all is quiet - the LA are going to fight it as my placements is nearly 70k a year due to 27 k of transport costs. their school is 18k plus £800 for OT!!! lets hope that the tribunal can force their hand tomorrow morning but i am not hopeful - will be very fed up if they do try and throw the towel in tomorrow with all the witnesses attending. our ed psych is in bedford today and then travelling up and staying overnight in a hotel ready for tomorrow. that really would be the final insult if they do as the witness costs to us is going to be £1500

[StarlightMcKenzie]

If they have other people going to that school then transport costs do not need to be that surely!?

[StarlightMcKenzie]

DS' transport costs were close to zero.

Can you give the school a quick call before they close and ask them how many kids they have come on transport from your LA?

[AgnesDiPesto]

If they do cave in then you can still ask for costs on basis unreasonable conduct of settling so late in the day
I think you can make an application for costs up to 14 days after a decision by the tribunal decision - so if you do agree anything don't withdraw the appeal - ask the Tribunal to make an order on any terms you agree and make it clear you will be asking for costs - you can then send a schedule of any wasted costs within 14 days for the Tribunal to decide whether to award costs.
Ask on the day if you are not clear.

www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/2699/article/10/made

[AgnesDiPesto]

And some LAs fight every indep placement as policy on the basis that its one day out of the office and even if their chances are small its still worth trying.

[StarlightMcKenzie]

Yes, - what Agnes said. They see it as field trip and training and because the cost of the placement kind of justifies it if they win 1 in every 5, on account of a stupid judge.

[bjkmummy]

the school is split over 2 sites - my son would be the only child from this LA attending the school at one site. it is possible that come sept he would move to the other site and there are at least 4 children from the LA who attend. one being my best friends son, they are moving to America in June so there would be a spare place come sept for my son so the costs could then be reduced.

however my friend has not yet made it official with the LA that they are going. They have told the school now as they now have the date of their flights confirmed. My friend has taken my daughter to stay overnight earlier and she was saying that the school were very interested when she was going etc and she thinks that the school may say something at the tribunal. I told her I would be careful what i say as I dont think its my place to announce their plans in a middle of a tribunal but she felt that its likely the school will raise it - i then wouldnt have to say that I know who they are talking about and could play a bit dumb.

[StarlightMcKenzie]

It doesn't matter. DS was in a 7 seater taxi. 2 new children got places at the school, so it became a 9 seater taxi. Probably not for no cost, but same escort and driver.

Make it clear in your case that from next year there are others that your ds could share transport with.

[inappropriatelyemployed]

Everything is crossed for you bjk!!