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Since this discussion is being discussed openly I feel I should like to contribute 'in the open'. I should like to congratulate Alison Courtney and her colleagues for withstanding the gruelling grilling which has enabled them to be in an advisory position to Devon re; their students , however as one who has fought for two terms for a Devon student with an additional disability I sometimes wonder at the usefulness of (pardon the expression) 'cosy local arrangements'. I should add here that we have an excellent relationship with our local education authority but I hope that this does not mean that they will only respond to what Nottingham Trent would recommend, that would be entirely counter-productive. LEA officers are human beings, I know, I met one once, and yes they do have an extremely difficult job, but one does form the opinion that they are paying for students support out of their own pockets and that they are doing the student a great favour. We are talking about people's rights here, not a charitable hand-out. Sorry to get so hot under the collar! There are some LEA's who are definitely applying their own interpretation to the 'guidelines'offered by DfEE, similarly this is not helpful and should be challenged, wherever I have felt there was dispute likely I have copied any correspondence to Skill and the DfEE, I know that neither organisation is able to act in independent cases, but I want the LEA concerned to know that I believe I am acting legitimately and feel that they are not. There is no 'quick' answer to this hardy perennial. The other suggestion made about inviting LEA officers to Skill regional meetings is not without it's problems, Catherine Badminton at UClan if you are reading this could you please chip in here with your experience ? WE, as institutes of Higher Education have to ensure that we are accountable and that we are making legitimate claims on behalf of Disabled Students, LEA's may then grow to trust us, which they should. I should like this discussion to continue openly but would be happy to correspond privately with any individuals wanting to 'check out' anything I have said above. Thanks for reading Chris Baxter The Nottingham Trent University %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%