Re: Tribunals/Evidence/Bringing Bad Practise to th...

[Guest guest]

Hi Alison

I think this is a great idea! I am a member of the AS-U-R support group here in Poole who are one of ten groups in the UK chosen for to be part of the TreeHouse Constructive campaigning project.

Anyways last meeting the Treehouse peeps came downn to give a presentation which was great. For some reason the chap from the NAS tribunal assistance team came too.

He gave us the impression that if you did things right then you will win at tribunal (! - bless him). Several of our members shared their stories and still he seemed to think it was OK.

I asked him if he really believed in the system and he looked shocked that I should question it. I told him about my buddy locally who lawyer told her he could tell a soon as they got there whether or not they woud win by who was on the panel - he winked at her when they went in. She came out not only with keeping her VB programme but an order that the LEa should fund it for 50 weeks per year.

Helen explained how the LEA lied through their teeth at her sons tribunal, that the whole proceeding was outside the law and how there was nothing she could do about it.

I said that base don the experience of fellow parents, I was not prepared to risk my families small amount of saving on a process that was meaningless or even dangerous. That I had decided to consider school as respite and take on the responsibility for my sons education myself. He seemed totally horrifed and said of the cases they assist with that 98% win. Helen said she thought that might be the type of cases they get..................

The NAS man was very nice and genuine but he really had not got a clue about the real world of tribunals.

I will get Helen to write up her story and send to you Alison, thanks for doing this

Mandi x