We were instructed by a mother whose son had severe anxiety and special educational needs. His school placement was not suitable for him as it did not meet his needs. He was school refusing and had not attended school for a considerable period of time. We commissioned expert reports which determined that the National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy was the most suitable placement for him. The Local Authority resisted this and put forward a number of different placements which it considered may be suitable. The Local Authority had contributed to long delays and did not meet a number of Tribunal deadlines. An application to bar the Local Authority from taking further part in the proceedings was put in and the Local Authority subsequently issued a Notice of Withdrawal which settled the matter as the Local Authority agreed to a placement at the National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy. This was an incredibly successful outcome (bearing in mind the cost of school fees) as it placed the child in the most suitable placement to meet his specific needs and it avoided the time and costs of proceeding to a Tribunal hearing.
Led by Anita Chopra
Supported by Nicole Henham
