At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team processing school admission appeals and reviews against permanent exclusion.
- Company: Be part of a supportive Council team in Weybridge, dedicated to fair hearings and community service.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days holiday, flexible working, lifestyle discounts, and a generous pension plan.
- Why this job: Challenge yourself in a fast-paced role while making a real impact in the community.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills, customer care experience, and ability to interpret legislation are essential.
- Other info: Hybrid working options available; flexibility in hours during peak times.
The predicted salary is between 21400 - 50000 £ per year.
This is an opportunity to join a small but busy team, responsible for processing school admission appeals and reviews against permanent exclusion.
As an Appeals Officer, you will be dealing with complex and often legal queries raised frequently by parties to the process. You will be required to interpret and apply relevant legislation, regulations and statutory guidance to your work. You will be planning and organising appeals and reviews dealing with members of the public, schools and volunteers from many different backgrounds. You will organise hearings and reviews in line with relevant legislation as well as helping appellants feel they have had a fair hearing in line with natural justice.
This is a front line service and you will communicate with a wide range of people including residents, partner organisations, volunteers and other teams within the Council. You will also be required to accurately record, store and process data and have a good understanding of the need for confidentiality and requirements of data protection legislation.
Hearings and reviews will be held in person, remotely or can be hybrid and you will be responsible for your own workload. There will be some flexibility over working hours needed particularly at certain times of the year.
Shortlisting Criteria
To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following
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Ability to understand, interpret and apply legislation
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Experience of working with the public and excellent customer care skills
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Good written and oral communication skills with the ability to build sound relationships
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Ability to prioritise and plan workload in the context of conflicting priorities and strict deadlines
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Excellent IT skills and use of databases with the ability to accurately record, store and process data
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Good team ethic with a flexible and creative approach to work
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A good understanding of the need for confidentiality and requirements of data protection legislation
The starting salary for this role is £35,730 per annum based on a 36-hour working week.
Do you want to challenge yourself and learn new skills in a varied and fast paced role? We are excited to be hiring a new Appeals Officer to join our fantastic team, based in Weybridge.
The Council adopts a hybrid working policy with a weekly balance of remote and in-person office based working at least 2 days a week. There will be flexibility to work from different Council offices on occasions and the team will provide support.
Rewards and Benefits
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26 days’ holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years’ service and 30 days after 5 years’ service
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Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
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An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
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Up to 5 days of carer’s leave per year
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Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
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A generous local government salary related pension
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Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
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2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
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Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment. For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Angela Bridgman via telephone 07790582758 or email at angela.bridgman@surreycc.gov.uk
Appeals Officer Appeals Officer employer: Surrey County Council
Contact Detail:
Surrey County Council Recruiting Team
+447790582758
angela.bridgman@surreycc.gov.uk
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Appeals Officer Appeals Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with relevant legislation and regulations related to school admissions and exclusions. This will not only help you in the role but also demonstrate your commitment and understanding during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills by engaging with diverse groups of people. Whether through volunteering or community events, building relationships with various stakeholders will showcase your ability to connect with the public effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Get comfortable with data management tools and databases. Since the role requires accurate recording and processing of data, having hands-on experience with these systems will give you an edge over other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your flexibility and creativity in problem-solving. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully managed conflicting priorities or adapted to changing circumstances, as this is crucial for the Appeals Officer role.
We think you need these skills to ace Appeals Officer Appeals Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of an Appeals Officer. Familiarize yourself with the relevant legislation and the nature of the queries you will be handling.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, clearly demonstrate your experience in dealing with the public and your customer care skills. Provide specific examples that showcase your ability to communicate effectively and build relationships.
Showcase Your Skills: Emphasize your written and oral communication skills, as well as your IT proficiency. Mention any experience you have with databases and data protection legislation to align with the job requirements.
Tailor Your Application: Customize your CV and cover letter to reflect the key criteria mentioned in the job description. Use specific language from the listing to demonstrate that you are a good fit for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Surrey County Council
✨Understand the Legislation
Make sure you have a solid grasp of the relevant legislation and regulations related to school admission appeals and permanent exclusions. Be prepared to discuss how you would interpret and apply these laws in real-life scenarios.
✨Showcase Your Customer Care Skills
Since this role involves working with the public, highlight your experience in customer service. Share examples of how you've effectively communicated with diverse groups and resolved conflicts or concerns.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Abilities
Prepare to showcase your written and oral communication skills. You might be asked to explain complex information clearly, so practice articulating your thoughts in a concise and understandable manner.
✨Organizational Skills are Key
Discuss your ability to prioritize and manage your workload, especially when faced with conflicting deadlines. Provide examples of how you've successfully organized tasks in previous roles to meet tight schedules.