Send Customer Services & Complaints Officer

Pertemps; England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in Cheshire is seeking a Customer Services & Complaints Officer to manage SEND complaints and ensure excellent service delivery. Responsibilities include investigating complaints, coordinating responses, and developing training for staff. The ideal candidate will have experience handling SEND complaints and strong communication skills. This role offers £25.18 per hour for a minimum 3-month contract.

Qualifications

• Experience in handling SEND complaints is essential.
• Completion of relevant training is required.
• Enhanced DBS check is mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Investigate and coordinate responses to SEND complaints.
• Critically assess and review the complaints process regularly.
• Manage external investigations and ensure timely responses.

Skills

Experienced handling SEND complaints

Excellent communication and written skills

Education

Completed relevant training

Job description

Overview

Send Customer Services & Complaints Officer — £25.18 per hour — Cheshire — 37 hours p/w, min 3 month contract

What you will do

To investigate, co-ordinate and collate the Council’s response to SEND complaints, compliments and comments, in accordance with SEND code of practise, and to provide an excellent customer service.

Critically assess and review the complaints process on a regular basis (including joint protocols on dealing with complaints with partner agencies and in joint teams) in order to respond to changes in legislation, statutory or associated guidance and accepted best practice. Learn of developments and to share best practice.

Advise Managers on the implications of complaints going to the Local Government Ombudsman and, in conjunction with the Tribunal Officer, co-ordinate the Department’s responses to the Ombudsman, ensuring that information is made available by the appropriate Managers and that information is provided to the Ombudsman within the required timescales.

Manage the process of external investigations, including the appointment of Independent Investigators, receive and quality check the reports and identify the recommendations to Heads of Service, so that the required action can be taken. Ensure that the complainant is informed about the outcome.

Develop, prepare and deliver training and support to operational staff, Managers and Independent Investigation teams, in order that they can undertake complaint investigations to the required standard and within set timescales, thus ensuring that the Departments meet statutory obligations.

Co-ordinate Freedom of Information requests relating to the SEND Services. Proof check responses, ensure sign-off by the relevant Senior Manager where appropriate and ensure that statutory timescales are met.

Prepare evidence for Local Government Ombudsman when an LGO complaint is received in co-ordination with the Senior SEN Manager, to ensure appropriate and timely responses are given with any clear learning points identified and shared to ensure service development.

The job holder may be required at any time to undertake any work up to and/or at a level consistent with existing responsibilities. These tasks may be at any location in the local authority, to ensure the effective deployment of labour, materials, transport and equipment to meet daily service requirements.

What you need

• Experienced handling SEND complaints
• Completed relevant training
• Enhanced DBS check
• Excellent communication and written skills