Most parents want their child to remain in mainstream school if possible. The success of such a placement will depend on the support which is in place for the child. We represent families who have children with all sorts of needs, whether it is the need for additional educational support in the form of speech therapy, occupational therapy or physiotherapy. Deaf and blind children also need specialist teaching to achieve their potential.
The right educational placement does not only entail the correct teaching for a child. For some children it can also entail speech and language provision delivered in the classroom either directly by the therapist or by a teaching assistant who has been trained by a speech and language therapist.
Some children (particularly those with Autism) require Occupational Therapy and Sensory Integration Therapy. This can also be delivered in the classroom by a therapist or a teaching assistant who has been appropriately trained.
We have succeeded in persuading the tribunal on many occasions of the huge benefit to some children of Sensory Integration Therapy. Sometimes Sensory issues need to be addressed before a child can benefit from other provision provided by a statement of special educational needs.
Often the issue of which school a child attends is a matter which is brought to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal.
Emma Turner usually attends the Tribunal with parents, both in England and Wales. The right advice is important from the very outset when the tribunal appeal is lodged. It is essential to ensure that the correct evidence is in place. When parents are asking the tribunal to order certain specific therapy such as speech and language therapy and occupational therapy it is vital that there is sufficient evidence to support this request.
Turner’s Solicitors have worked with a number of Educational Psychologists and Independent Therapist and can always recommend experts who have the right experience in the therapy needed and experience in attending Tribunal appeals.
The Tribunal process can appear daunting for parents who attempt to draft their own appeal and prepare the documents for the Tribunal. The Tribunal panel receive the appeal well before the hearing and read the papers in detail in advance so it is vital that the best written case is presented. We provide advice to parents at each step of the tribunal appeal process.