Senior Appeals Officer in Knowsley

We are looking for an individual with significant mediation and tribunal experience within a SEND team to undertake appeal work and represent the LA at mediation and tribunal SENDIST hearings, including case preparation and evidence gathering, and senior level casework. The post is 5 days per week and is remote working. Day rate for this post is £(Apply online only) per day dependent on experience and is currently agreed for 3 months, with the chance for this to be extended for 6 months.

Responsibilities include:

• Overseeing and managing the statutory education, health and care plan assessment process, provision and review for Pre 16 children and young people with SEND in their identified locality under the Education Act 1996, Children and Family Act 2014, SEN Code of Practice 2014 and Equality Act 2010.
• Ensuring that children, young people and families are fully included in the EHC assessment process from the start, providing information, advice and support to enable participation in discussions and decisions about their plan and provision.
• Managing the development of a partnership approach with the child or young person, their family, and associated professionals from education, health, social care and the third sector.
• Responsible for the quality and accuracy of statutory SEND documents and being the authorised officer to sign these.
• Line managing a Locality SEND team, including regular supervision, robust case supervision and appraisals of SEND Caseworkers.
• Monitoring the performance of the team and ensuring compliance with performance targets relating to the statutory EHC assessment process, Annual Reviews and partnership working.
• Managing and monitoring the impact and quality of special education, health and care assessments, plans and provisions for 0-25 years old children and young people.
• Analysing and providing professional input into complex assessment and provision issues; supporting and advising SEND Caseworkers.
• Holding a small caseload of the most complex cases.
• Developing and championing SEND in the locality and providing a vital link for school settings and partner agencies.
• Responding to complaints from parents and carers and providing responses to complaints, gathering appropriate information and evidence.
• Leading on and representing the Local Authority at SEND tribunals, mediation and other resolution meetings.
• Attending and participating in internal decision-making panels.
• Overseeing appropriate information and support systems relating to statutory assessment procedures.
• Taking a lead specialist role in an area of special needs development.
• Covering for the EHC Assessment Team Manager in their absence.
• Driving the improvement and resilience of partnership working for children with SEND in Nottinghamshire.
• Maintaining strong links with educational, health and care services within the local authority.
• Ensuring that staff work in co-production with parents/carers, children and young people throughout the EHC needs assessment process.
• Quality assuring EHCPs and feeding into the department's Quality Assurance Framework.
• Maintaining strong links with maintained and independent special schools.
• Ensuring the local authority's response to tribunals is made within legal deadlines and compliant with SENDist case directions.
• Gathering robust and detailed evidence to support the local authority's position during tribunal appeals.
• Acting as the local authority's representative at mediation and other resolution meetings.
• Leading on phase transfers between key stages for children and young people.
• Overseeing vulnerable children and young people who are Educated Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS) or electively home educated.
• Accurately recording, inputting and maintaining case and meeting records.
• Alerting the Team Manager to any issues or concerns regarding individual staff members or education settings.