Tribunal Officer in Reigate

To lead and deliver the area service for the identification, analysis, case management and review of children with special educational needs (SEN) resident within Surrey who are at risk of, or are in the process of, an appeal hearing with the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal Service. This would include representing Surrey County Council at any appeal hearings as necessary.

To lead and deliver a service that is in accordance with legislation, best practice guidance, agreed budget and resources and is appropriate to the individual child's needs. The role holder will help ensure that Surrey County Council provides a world class service in relation to the appeals process, in accordance with Audit Commission and Best Value indicators. They will lead a solution focused, client orientated service delivery model with the aim to reduce parental recourse to SENDIST.

The SEN Management Team operates in a fast paced, complex interpersonal environment involving children and young people with high level and complex special educational needs, their parents/carers, schools and other professionals requiring an enhanced level of communication skill and strong case management. The SEN Management Team administers and is responsible for statutory functions on behalf of the Authority and has significant contact with members of the public and other professionals from within and outside of the County Council, approximately 408 schools and other settings.

There are four SEN Management Teams who cover the four areas of the County (NW, NE, SE, SW), working across 11 Boroughs and Districts, and each will need to manage crucial interfaces with the support services, Children's Service and the Corporate Parenting Team, as well as maintaining excellent multi agency working.

A high proportion of the SEN Tribunal Officer's role is working directly with parents, schools, parental appointed legal representatives and other professional bodies within the statutory and legal framework related to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal process. The Tribunal Officer will need to manage a complex range of issues utilizing effective case management and it is essential that they operate in a positive, collegiate and respectful manner to ensure county-wide service effectiveness across County Services and partners.

The case management amounts to approx tribunal cases per year, increasing by about 5-7% annually.

• Risk Management

• Identify opportunities and risks associated with the service and escalate/report to management.
• May undertake the role of expert practice lead, managing highly complex cases and leading consistency and standards of practice in a defined geographical area.
• Conduct assessments in complex or high risk circumstances ensuring appropriate actions are taken in response to identified safeguarding/wellbeing issues to increase the protection of vulnerable people.

• Contribute towards developing professional policy, standards and procedure and/or developing and implementing team plans and monitoring and reviewing of services to enhance quality of service.

• Manage the planning and delivery of services and caseload or projects for own area involving some specialist knowledge or assessment.
• Contribute to service plans and plan staff resources to maintain operational delivery of services.

• Assist with budget/resource/funding management in accordance with the council policies and procedures.

• Liaise, communicate and build relationships with other internal departments, partner organisations, agencies and/or contractors to share knowledge or best practice and ensure quality, integrated service delivery.
• Work in partnership with service users, their families/carers.

• Manage an operational team or specialised function, and organise deployment of staff and work and/or appropriate support for service users.
• Monitor and support the performance management and development of team members, using a coaching approach, to ensure that individual contributions are maximised.

Values: To uphold the values and behaviours of the organisation.

Equality & Diversity: To work inclusively, with a diverse range of stakeholders and promote equality of opportunity.

Health, Safety & Welfare: To maintain high standards of Health, Safety and Welfare at work and take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and others.

Connect2Surrey is a trading style of Surrey & Kent Commercial Services LLP - A joint venture between Surrey County Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2Surrey is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.