Agreements are often reached to everyone's surprise and satisfaction!

East Sussex Children's Authority offers both informal and formal mediation to pupils with special educational needs.

Very often parents find themselves in dispute with us over a range of issues to do with their child's statement - or lack of it.  Frequently, parents - who are likely to be anxious and stressed anyway - do not understand the process which leads to the decision with which they disagree.  Mediation provides a vehicle for airing views and clearing the air from within a protective environment for both sides.

It is often possible for the LEA officer to feel "under siege" when meeting parents and their supporters.  However, when meeting them under the Global umbrella they have an equal chance of speaking and stating their position in the knowledge that their voice will be equally heard and equally valued.

Because of the added luxury of having a considerable amount of time allocated to the meeting and the fact that it is held in neutral territory the tension and aggression which is frequently part of a meeting between the parents and the LEA is often dissipated totally.

Agreements - no matter how small - are often reached to everyone's surprise and satisfaction! 

Sue Tait, Casework Manager, East Sussex Local Authority