SEND Statutory Performance and Tribunals Officer

Thurrock Council; Grays; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

LGPS

Hybrid working

Training and development

Wellbeing support

Staff discounts

Inclusive working environment

Job summary

Thurrock Council is seeking a significantly experienced SEND Statutory Performance and Tribunals Officer to lead and coordinate the Council's response to SEND mediation, disagreement resolution and SEND Tribunal appeals.

The role involves representing the Local Authority at mediation meetings and Tribunal hearings, working with families, schools, health partners and multi-agency colleagues to secure lawful, child-centred outcomes and ensure statutory compliance across SEND.

Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Ability to analyse complex information, assess risk and develop sound recommendations.
• Experience of working collaboratively with families, schools, legal representatives and multi-agency professionals to resolve disputes.
• Experience of analysing performance information and using intelligence to drive service improvement.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of complex SEND appeals from receipt to conclusion, prepare Tribunal responses and submissions, represent the Local Authority at hearings and mediation meetings.
• Analyse mediation and Tribunal trends to identify opportunities for service improvement and support quality assurance activities.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to colleagues and partner agencies to secure lawful, child-centred outcomes.
• Support duties around complaints handling, Local Government Ombudsman investigations and information requests.
• Contribute to improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND and to statutory compliance across SEND systems.

Skills

Written and verbal communication

Negotiation

Risk analysis

Multi-agency collaboration

Performance analysis

Education

Degree-level qualification or equivalent in SEND/education/law/public administration

DBS Check: Basic

Job description

Thurrock Council is seeking a significantly experienced and highly motivated SEND Statutory Performance and Tribunals Officer to lead and coordinate the Council's response to SEND mediation, disagreement resolution and Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Tribunal appeals.

The successful candidate will represent the Local Authority at mediation meetings and Tribunal hearings, working closely with families, schools, health partners, social care colleagues, legal services and independent advisers to secure lawful, child-centred and evidence-based outcomes.

The role also supports the management of complaints, Local Government Ombudsman investigations, Freedom of Information requests and Subject Access Requests.

This is a key role within Children's Services and offers an excellent opportunity to influence service improvement, strengthen relationships with families and support statutory compliance across the SEND system.

As a SEND Statutory Performance and Tribunals Officer, you will be responsible for:

• Managing a caseload of complex SEND appeals from receipt through to conclusion, prepare Tribunal responses and legal submissions, represent the Local Authority at hearings and mediation meetings, and provide expert advice and guidance to colleagues and partner agencies.


• You will also play a central role in analysing mediation and Tribunal trends, identifying opportunities for service improvement, supporting quality assurance activity and contributing to improved outcomes for children and young people with SEN


• Significant experience of working within SEND, education, legal services, mediation, complaints or a related statutory environment.


• Detailed knowledge of the Children and Families Act 2014, SEND Regulations 2014, SEND Code of Practice, SEND Tribunal procedures and relevant case law.


• Experience of managing complex casework and meeting statutory deadlines.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparing reports, formal responses, Tribunal documentation and legal submissions.


• The ability to analyse complex information, assess risk and develop sound recommendations.


• Experience of working collaboratively with families, schools, legal representatives and multi-agency professionals to resolve disputes and secure positive outcomes.


• Strong negotiation and relationship management skills.


• Experience of analysing performance information and using intelligence to drive service improvement.


• The ability to provide professional advice, guidance and training to colleagues and partners.


• A commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

Essential Qualifications:

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience in SEND, education, law, public administration, children's services or a related field, together with evidence of continuing professional development in SEND legislation, mediation, dispute resolution, complaints or Tribunal practice.


• DBS Check: A Basic DBS check is required

At Thurrock Council, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement


• Local Government Pension Scheme


• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)


• Ongoing training and professional development


• Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support


• Staff discounts and local offers


• A supportive and inclusive working environment