At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage SEND Tribunal cases and ensure compliance while supporting positive outcomes for children.
- Company: Join a supportive Local Authority SEND Service with a focus on collaboration.
- Benefits: Earn £400 per day, work fully remote, and gain valuable experience.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence outcomes and grow your career in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children with SEND while working flexibly.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing SEND Tribunal cases and strong communication skills required.
We are currently seeking an experienced SEND Tribunal Officer to support a Local Authority SEND Service on an interim basis. Working remotely, you will take the lead on managing SENDIST Tribunal cases, ensuring statutory compliance and representing the Local Authority throughout the appeals process.
You will work closely with SEND Case Officers, Legal Services, Educational Psychologists, schools and families to prepare high-quality responses to appeals, negotiate settlements where appropriate, and support the delivery of positive outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a caseload of SEND Tribunal appeals from registration through to conclusion.
- Coordinate responses to appeals lodged with the First-tier Tribunal (SEND).
- Draft witness statements, working documents, and evidence bundles.
- Liaise with legal representatives, parents, carers and external agencies.
- Advise SEND teams on legal processes, risks and potential outcomes.
- Attend mediation meetings and Tribunal hearings virtually where required.
- Identify opportunities for settlement and negotiate resolutions where appropriate.
- Ensure compliance with SEND legislation, statutory guidance and Tribunal timescales.
- Provide advice and support to SEND Caseworkers and senior managers on complex cases.
Essential Requirements
- Significant experience managing SEND Tribunal cases within a Local Authority.
- Detailed knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice, Children and Families Act 2014, and SEND Tribunal processes.
- Proven experience preparing appeal responses, evidence bundles and witness statements.
- Excellent written communication and report-writing skills.
- Ability to manage multiple complex cases and competing deadlines.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and negotiate effectively.
Desirable
- Previous experience representing a Local Authority at SEND Tribunal hearings.
- Legal qualification or relevant SEND legal experience.
- Experience using SEND case management systems such as Synergy, EYES, Capita One or Liquidlogic.
SEND Tribunal Officer employer: Eden Brown Synergy
Gateshead Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee development and well-being. As part of the Independent Living Service, you will have the opportunity to lead a dedicated team while making a meaningful impact in the community. With competitive pay rates and a commitment to quality assurance, this role provides a rewarding environment for professional growth in a vibrant local authority setting.
