When a case goes to tribunal, one of the most confusing and anxiety provoking parts for parents is the Local Authority’s consultation process with schools. It often feels opaque, rushed, or strategically timed, and families are left wondering what is happening behind the scenes. In reality, the consultation process is one of the most important pieces of evidence the tribunal will look at, because it shows whether the LA has genuinely explored suitable placements or simply gone through the motions.