Resolution and Tribunal Officer

Suffolk County Council; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS membership

Flexible working options

Training and development opportunities

Career progression opportunities

Job summary

Suffolk County Council is looking for a dedicated Resolution and Tribunals Officer to join the SEND team. You will work with children, families and partner professionals to secure the best outcomes, including representing the Local Authority at mediation and tribunal hearings where required.

You will contribute to ensuring compliance with the Children and Families Act 2014 and SEND Code of Practice, developing EHCPs and coordinating complex SEND processes across teams.

Qualifications

• Experience in SEND-related environments desirable.
• Strong commitment to fairness and diversity.
• Collaborative approach with families, schools and professionals.

Responsibilities

• work with children, young people and their families to find a solution which will provide the most appropriate outcome for the child or young person
• represent the Local Authority at mediation meetings with families to resolve as far as possible disputes and disagreements specifically regarding SEND
• take responsibility for all actions and processes relating to SEND Tribunal appeals allocated to you, up to and including attending hearings to represent the local authority where required
• follow up on all Tribunal Orders to ensure full compliance with the Children and Families Act 2014 and The Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (Health, Education and Social Care Chamber) Rules 2008
• liaise with colleagues and professionals in Health, Social Care and Education teams to ensure effective joint working
• challenge and support professionals, settings and services to ensure compliance with statutory guidance and the SEND Code of Practice.

Job description

As a modern, flexible and effective organisation, we're driven to make a positive difference to the environment, the communities we serve and the careers of our people. That's why, when you join us as a Resolution and Tribunals Officer, you'll be encouraged to share your fresh thinking and empowered to explore new ideas that will shape and improve our services as well as your career.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

• work with children, young people and their families to find a solution which will provide the most appropriate outcome for the child or young person
• represent the Local Authority at mediation meetings with families to resolve as far as possible disputes and disagreements specifically regarding SEND
• take responsibility for all actions and processes relating to SEND Tribunal appeals allocated to you, up to and including attending hearings to represent the local authority where required
• follow up on all Tribunal Orders to ensure full compliance with the Children and Families Act 2014 and The Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (Health, Education and Social Care Chamber) Rules 2008
• liaise with colleagues and professionals in Health, Social Care and Education teams to ensure effective joint working
• challenge and support professionals, settings and services to ensure compliance with statutory guidance and the SEND Code of Practice.

You will need:

• a passion for making a positive difference in Suffolk, The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Services team works closely with families, schools, and other professionals to assess children's needs and develop Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). The service manages a wide variety of work, such as, reviews of EHCPs, arranging commissioned provision, consultations for mainstream and specialist placements.

The service now operates within several focused teams with strong cross team working and a commitment to ensuring all contribute to service wide priorities.

The Resolution and Tribunal Team oversee all work relating to SEND mediations and appeals to the First-Tier Tribunal (SEN and Disability). They aim to seek resolutions as soon as possible, working closely with parents, carers and other professionals involved. They inform ongoing service developments, checking that lessons learnt through their work are shared and appropriately acted upon.

We work alongside; Special Education Services, SEND Funding and Provider Services and Educational Psychology and Therapeutic Services, Social Care and Health and we are all dedicated to helping children and young people achieve their individual outcomes.

• a strong commitment to fairness, equality and diversity
• to bring creativity to your work through innovation and openness to change
• to be committed to listening to children and their families and to working collaboratively with them
• to have the ability to clarify risks and concerns and focus on solutions to create a climate in which change can happen.
• to have an in-depth knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations and guidance as appropriate to role
• experience of working in a complex statutory, safeguarding or SEND-related environment would be desirable.

In return, you'll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
• Plus lots more!

Reimagine the possibilities.