Well after a silence of several months - two posts in one day!!

I REALLY wanted to tell you all about the SOS!SEN Parent's day (they are a fantastic organisation doing a wonderful job) but because of all that has been going on in the family I missed the date!! Darn it!! I am so sorry, as these are such excellent events.

I'm rather behind at the moment as I've driven hundreds of miles, spent hours on the phone, and more hours filling in forms, these last few months sorting out one or other of the children's issues so when I'm at home I'm constantly playing catch up with my work there.

I'd go and stand in a corner as a penance but I don't have time!!

However, I'm pleased to tell you about the following SOSSEN workshop. If any of you are interested do give them a call. I think they are all saints:

SOSSEN (The Independent Helpline for Special Educational Needs)
Tel: 020 8538 3731 Fax: 020 8255 7657
SOS!Special Educational Needs Registered Charity 1112475

One Day Workshop

SCHOOLS & SENDIST


24 March 2007, 10.00 – 17.00

Moor House School, Hurst Green Oxted, Surrey RH8 9AQ


This workshop is designed to enable school representatives to optimise their preparation of materials for evidence and to improve their representation skills at the SENDIST hearings. It will be valuable for staff from schools in the maintained and independent sectors, for parent advocates, for SEN charities, and for a range of professionals involved in SEN. The quality of evidence and presentation is most important in ensuring a good tribunal result.

JOHN FRIEL, eminent SEN barrister,
and MELINDA NETTLETON, solicitor, of S.E.N. Legal
will be the main speakers but there will be participation from other professionals involved in the SEN appeals process.


WORKSHOP FEE - £95 per person. (10%reduction for groups of 5 from any one school or organisation.)

See programme below:


SCHOOLS & SENDIST WORKSHOP – 24 MARCH 2007

PROGRAMME


9.30 Registration


10.00 Introduction - ( SOS!SEN)

10.05 How Schools Benefit from good SENDIST preparation and presentation – an example. (Tony Shaw, Head of Mary Hare School for the Deaf).

10.30 Preparing reports detailing all aspects of the school and how the individual child’s needs would be met.
(John & Melinda)

Costing provision in a clear way.
(John & Melinda)

QUESTIONS & DISCUSSION

Working with other professionals on school visit.
(John, Melinda, Lesley Wood S<.)

QUESTIONS & DISCUSSION

Would it be appropriate to go to Tribunal?
(John& Melinda)

QUESTIONS & DISCUSSION

(There will be a15 minute coffee break during the morning.)


12.45 LUNCH (available at the school).


13.45 Whether or not the School should be a witness at the hearing.

QUESTIONS & DISCUSSION


PROGRAMME (CONTINUED)

14.30 Mock Tribunal

This will be based on a case where one of the witnesses is a representative of the school. There will be a panel and another professional witness the S<. The emphasis will be on Part 4 of the Statement – the school placement. All related evidence will be circulated in advance.

16.00 Findings of the Panel with reasons and discussion.

16.50 Closure of Workshop.

There will be a 15 minute tea break during the afternoon

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For advance bookings and further information phone Martin Dean on
07932 066638 or email - martindean@blueyonder.co.uk
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