Cariad Report post Posted May 16, 2007 We hired the Ed Pysch's wife as our advocate for the tribunal. I really think she has a problem with me, we have discussed when it is etc etc and how i used to be with IPSEA but they won't represent us so we have hired her. Then she sends out a questionare with all these same questions, also wanting another copy of the statement which her Ed Pysch husband already has. We have 15 days and she hasn't even started , plus wants �1000 upfront. I have spoken to her in the past and have been very weighed down and got a few dates wrong and was quite panicky. I said to her before about hiring her but we couldn't afford it, now we are i feel she is being contrary. Also i phoned the headmaster of the school i want my child to go to and he said they have no spaces and are "oversubscribed". I told him i will still name his school and go to Tribunal, i said it's not as if i can call it all off and have him home and having no education. So far we have spent over �3000. Also is there anyway of getting some of these costs back? We are in so much debt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elly Report post Posted May 16, 2007 Oh Cariad, You really sound as though you are having a rough time <'> It's appalling that a family has to get into debt to get their child a decent education Have you considered the local press? Not sure where you can get financial help though. Have you or you partner been in HM Forces? At such a late date it might be hard to find someone else to attend the tribunal, bt I am not sure I would want to go with someone who is not 100% on my side Do you have a local ASD support group? Or maybe NAS could help? Sorry if you have tried these things, I am newe here so not sure of whats happened already. Keep smilin Elly Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pumpkinpie Report post Posted May 16, 2007 She sounds a liability Cariad and asking for money up frount sounds dodgy and not ethical. You need the ed psych though so I dont see what you can do. What does the law society say about payments in advance is it against their code of practice? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stressedmumto2 Report post Posted May 16, 2007 Hi Cariad, I don't know what to suggest, but I do know my own solicitor wnated 1,000 on day or before hand and 1,000 after so far she's only had �500. My solicitor also left everything to the last minute and had me panicking like mad. I don't know if they do it this way so it's fresh in their heads or if they just can't be bothered to be prepared in advance. I had no confidence in my representation and didn't win. I think if you feel you have no confidence it may be worth looking elsewhere, although time is obviously a big factor right now. I contacted the Children's Legal Service recently to ask if they could get a barrister check my tribunal decision as i couldn't afford another �1,000 and in the end they said they would, it may be worth giving them a call and tell them how serious it is with deadlines, they may just be able to help you. I am not sure if here is anyway you can get your money back, altogether mine should of cost �5,000 so far and I owe out alot and it's sill on-going. It's awful we do have to pay I guess in some ways I am lucky at least I get legal aid but for all of us going through it, it's just not fair and I think this is what Local Authority's play on the financial implications to us. Give the children's legal services a call and see if they can help, take care and I hope you get something sorted <'> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lisa Report post Posted May 16, 2007 Can you believe Lord Adonis is saying it's free to go to tribunal!!! What a joke!! We spent over �5,000 on assessments for our tribunal, we couldn't really afford a solicitor as well so we decided to do it ourselves. I thought we had a very good case, plus she hadn't made any progress academically in all 3 core subjects in the year she'd had her statement. No progress whatsoever in reading and maths for 2 years. What could be plainer? What conclusion did the tribunal come to? 13 hrs support = no progress - conclusion = she doesn't need any more help Tribunals are such an emotional rollercoaster <'> <'> Try to stay strong. Does she have much experience of tribunals? Is the Ed Psych coming to the tribunal as well? If I remember rightly from earlier posts I think you said your Ed Psych was really good. Does he has a lot of experience at tribunals working with his wife as a team? It could be an advantage. You're in an awkward position, if you decide not to have the wife you may lose the husband. Good Luck whatever you decide. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kazzen161 Report post Posted May 16, 2007 Also i phoned the headmaster of the school i want my child to go to and he said they have no spaces and are "oversubscribed". I told him i will still name his school and go to Tribunal, i said it's not as if i can call it all off and have him home and having no education. So far we have spent over �3000. You need to check with IPSEA. If the school is an independent school, you cannot go to Tribunal to ask for a place there, as they do not have one - the Tribunal has no power to force an independent school to take your child if it is already full. If it is an LEA school - in certain circumstances the Tribunal can force them to take an extra child - but it depends if they are already over their set number. Karen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
