IMPORTANT INFORMATION RE: TRIBUNAL TIMETABLE FOR APPEALS (info from SOS!SEN)
There have been changes to tribunal timetable for appeals.
From 1 Aug 2016, Tribunal moved to a 12 week timetable for hearings (from 20 weeks) so it will be important that parents considering an appeal, must be better prepared and have their evidence/assessments planned well ahead.
Additionally all appeals regarding Refusal to Assess are now paperless i.e. there will be no physical hearing and decisions will be made on the documentation alone; parents can request hearings if tribunal considers it reasonable. Again it is vital that all evidence/documents from nurseries/schools/colleges/experts for the appeal are sourced early & their release timed well. This will go some way to ensure that evidence is not provided by the local authority at the last minute to counter evidence/reports.
This is likely to rule out the times that local authorities have been able to turn up with late evidence at hearings, which has added to parental frustrations and further delays.
Do contact us on our helpline on: 0300 302 3731 if you need further advice.
We are open tonight (Tuesday 6th September) from 8.00pm to 10.00pm and from 9.30-12.30 & 2:00-5:00pm on Wednesday and Thursday. Friday our helpline is open from 9.30-12.30pm.
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