This blog post was written on 10/7/2020

So, another week has gone by, lots of changes. So far I am officially eligible for legal aid, that means we now have solicitors on board to hope for the best outcome and plan for Charlie. Such a relief!! I spoke with the paralegal today and the service we are using are called Coram legal centre, they are based down south, but as all the meetings are zoom or telephone calls, this works out fine. The LA have both agreed to withdraw the school up in Chesterfield and to consult with my parental preference school, such a big achievement for us. We should know by the 24th of July whether they will name our preference school HG, in section I and then from there, we can remove section I from appeal.

It really has been so difficult, to get into place the things we need. Even though, they are so evident and really should be assessed and acknowledged. It hurts me to imagine what sort of fight Charlie would of had, without me backing him up and fighting his corner. The LA solicitor sent his action point response over to me, it was so nice to bat it back and tell him I have legal representation. It was such a relief, and definitely a bittersweet moment. What gets me the most though, is a lot of this could of been avoided, if simple assessments were just given instead of being blocked.

We had a social care assessment on Wednesday, authorised by the LA, to see if there were any gaps in Charlie’s social care. Of course there are. He doesn’t access the community like other children of his age. We can’t just nip to the park, it’s too overwhelming for him. Especially on a warm day when the park is busy and noisy. I have asked for grants from the Family Fund to give us an accessible garden. Unfortunately the play equipment I want is out of stock. Ideally if I had the money, time and energy, I would make my little superhero a sensory garden.

We also had a zoom Occupational Therapy appointment (OT) that makes part of the assessment ready to send off to the tribunal. It’s all getting rather messy if I’m honest, and I’m glad now that the solicitor can take part of the burden. Charlie has struggled to engage with any of the assessments or therapies which is a shame as it is all for his benefit. We have a therapy session with relax kids this afternoon. That is going well, however, I’m not sure how much else she can do for us, as a family or together at the moment.

Hopefully, if I have the energy I will start decorating Isla’s bedroom this weekend. She is away with her friend and I think she would be so happy to come back to her bedroom decorated. But we will see, I need to finish University and I just have so much on my plate. Including my car, which is still not fixed!!!

The car is of constant stress to me right now.

As always, stay safe

Georgina x