At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage school admission appeals and provide guidance to panel members and the public.
- Company: North Yorkshire Council, dedicated to serving a diverse community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a supportive team committed to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's education by ensuring fair appeal processes.
- Qualifications: Experience in local authority processes and exceptional communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 38220 - 42839 € per year.
Salary: From £38,220 to £42,839 per annum
Grade: JK
Hours: Full time
Contract: Permanent
Location: Northallerton, North Yorkshire. Base will be County Hall, Northallerton, hybrid working arrangements apply.
This is an exciting opportunity to work in the heart of the Council on the administration of school admission appeals. By law, if a child is refused a place at their preferred school, then parents and carers have the right to appeal against that decision to an independent panel. The school admission appeal panels are independent of the school and the local authority.
The Appeals Team, which is part of Democratic Services, plays an important role within North Yorkshire Council working to ensure the proper and lawful administration of around 600 school admission appeals, 100 home to school transport appeals and 10 exclusion appeal hearings each year. School admission appeals are heard remotely by video conferencing (Teams) and so a significant element of this work is undertaken remotely. Transport appeals are carried out at County Hall. Exclusion hearings are carried out face to face and there will be a requirement on clerks to travel to venues in North Yorkshire.
As a Senior Appeals Officer and working as part of an established team, you will ensure the provision of effective support and guidance, of a consistently high quality, to independent appeal panel members, councillors, officers, schools, parents/carers, and members of the public regarding the appeals processes. This role requires high levels of political awareness, communication skills, tact, and diplomacy.
What you will bring:
- Experience in the conduct of Local Authority decision making processes.
- Experience of working with external business partners and clients.
- A proven track record of working in an environment that demands tact and diplomacy and managing challenging meetings (ideally conducted within a statutory setting or framework).
- Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral.
- Ability to establish and develop positive working relations with officers, school representatives, independent appeal panel members and members of the public.
- Resilience and the ability to cope with conflicting and complex demands.
- Excellent organisational and multi-tasking skills to cope with a demanding workload, including the ability to prioritise work accordingly and respond effectively to changing circumstances without losing focus or direction, whilst meeting strict deadlines.
- A degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant professional area or equivalent experience.
The post is politically restricted under the terms of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. NYC are committed to directly recruiting staff and will not accept applications nor services from agency suppliers in respect of our vacancies. We are committed to meeting the needs of our diverse community and aim to have a workforce reflecting this diversity. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. North Yorkshire Councils’ purpose is to deliver services and facilities to the diverse residents and visitors of North Yorkshire. To ensure we deliver inclusive services we strive to have a diverse workforce where everybody can be themselves by respecting differences and embedding equality of opportunity. We celebrate diversity and recognise each other’s contributions; we therefore welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.
Senior Appeals Officer employer: Applefields School
North Yorkshire Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion. As a Senior Appeals Officer, you will benefit from hybrid working arrangements, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth while making a meaningful impact in the community. The Council is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting welfare, ensuring that all staff can thrive in a respectful and collaborative environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Appeals Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those who work in local authorities or have experience with school admission appeals. A friendly chat can lead to valuable insights and even job leads.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to appeals processes and conflict resolution. We recommend role-playing with a friend to boost your confidence and refine your responses.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your communication skills! During interviews, be sure to highlight your ability to handle challenging conversations with tact and diplomacy. Share specific examples that demonstrate your expertise.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Appeals Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Senior Appeals Officer. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role requires exceptional communication skills, don’t shy away from demonstrating your written abilities. Use clear and concise language in your application to reflect your capability in handling complex information.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Be sure to detail any previous experience you have with local authority decision-making processes or managing challenging meetings. This will help us see how you can hit the ground running in our team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups, and we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Applefields School
✨Know Your Appeals Process
Familiarise yourself with the school admission appeals process and the role of independent panels. Understanding the legal framework and the nuances of how appeals are handled will show your commitment and expertise in the field.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Senior Appeals Officer, you'll need to demonstrate exceptional communication skills. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated complex information to various stakeholders, especially in challenging situations. This will highlight your ability to manage difficult conversations with tact and diplomacy.
✨Demonstrate Political Awareness
Given the politically restricted nature of the role, it's crucial to show that you understand the political landscape. Be prepared to discuss how you've navigated similar environments in the past and how you can maintain professionalism while working with diverse groups.
✨Organisational Skills Are Key
With a demanding workload, showcasing your organisational and multi-tasking abilities is essential. Bring examples of how you've prioritised tasks effectively in previous roles, especially when faced with tight deadlines or conflicting demands. This will reassure them of your capability to handle the responsibilities of the position.
