SEND Statutory Tribunals & Appeals Lead (Hybrid)

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 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.