As your hearing date gets closer, it’s important that you feel confident, organised and prepared. Preparing well means you understand:
- what you want the tribunal to change
- what evidence supports your case
- how the hearing will run
- what you need to do on the day
The hearing is your chance to explain your child or young person’s needs and what support or placement you believe is right. You’ll also hear from the local authority (LA) and any witnesses.
You do not need to be a legal expert. The tribunal simply wants to understand your child’s needs clearly.
What will help?
- review your hearing bundle
- make sure your working document is up to date
- prepare to speak or answer questions
- feel calm, ready and supported on the day
Guidance and advice
Reading the bundle
- check the bundle is complete
- highlight or mark important pages
- tell the tribunal or LA if anything is missing
- make sure each page has a clear page number
Preparing the working document
- check your proposed amendments are included
- clearly show what is agreed and what is still in dispute
- use footnotes explaining why changes are needed (e.g. “recommended in OT report p20”)
Preparing witnesses
- share the bundle and hearing link with your witnesses
- make sure they know the date, time and how to join
- let them know if you will ask anything specific
- remind them they can only speak about what is in their report or statement
Other preparation tips
- practise saying your key points out loud
- bring a short summary or “crib sheet”
- you can bring a supporter to the hearing
- plan the practical side (quiet room, breaks, childcare, food and drink)
- ask for help with technology if needed
Parent checklist
- read the bundle and highlighted key parts
- updated the working document
- shared the bundle and joining details with witnesses
- prepared a short summary of my main points
- checked support needs (quiet space, interpreter, breaks, tech)
- ready to explain what I want changed and why
Notes — things to keep track of
- final evidence deadline
- what changes are still in dispute
- key page numbers
- witness attendance
- questions I want to ask