Lead Tribunal Officer

This is a public‑facing role and home working is by agreement. Are you motivated by delivering and developing a high‑quality Tribunal process that makes a difference to the lives of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and their families? As a Lead Tribunal Officer, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the Local Authority delivers a fair, lawful and transparent response to all medium‑complexity SEND appeals. You will provide legal and procedural oversight for Tribunal work, support colleagues across the SEND service, and help families and professionals navigate a challenging and often complex process. You will be part of the wider SEND and Inclusion Service, working closely with the Assessment and Review Team to ensure that decision‑making is robust, consistent and always centred on the needs of the child or young person.

About the role

You will work as a key member of the SEND Assessment and Review Team, supporting the statutory processes linked to the SEND Code of Practice (2015) and Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). A central part of your role will involve:

• Preparing and quality‑assuring evidence for SEND Tribunal appeals.
• Managing a caseload of appeals, particularly regarding Sections B, F and I.
• Supporting families, professionals and colleagues through the Tribunal or mediation process.
• Representing the Local Authority at hearings where appropriate.
• Overseeing the timely submission of Tribunal paperwork and ensuring responses are legally compliant.
• Providing guidance, advice and case oversight to Tribunal Officers and EHC Coordinators.

You will work collaboratively with educational settings, health partners, social care and internal teams to promote lawful, inclusive and well‑reasoned decision‑making.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

To fulfil this role, you will demonstrate substantial knowledge of:

• The Children and Families Act (2014) and associated Regulations
• The SEND Code of Practice (2015) and subsequent statutory requirements
• Processes relating to SEND appeals, mediation and dispute resolution
• Wider legislative requirements including equality duties and Local Area SEND inspection expectations

A proven track record in SEND casework, including experience preparing written and oral statements for formal processes such as Tribunal appeals. Experience working in a multi‑agency statutory environment, coordinating and overseeing complex casework. The ability to support and guide colleagues, ensuring consistency, accuracy and high‑quality practice in Tribunal‑related work. Strong negotiation, communication and analytical skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly. Experience ensuring Tribunal cases are recorded, evidenced and used to inform service improvement. A degree‑level qualification or equivalent professional experience, along with evidence of ongoing professional development.

If you meet the above criteria and thrive in a challenging yet highly rewarding environment, we encourage you to apply for this opportunity.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact: Emma Maffre – Service Manager, Special Needs Assessment Service Emma.Maffre@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk

Closing Date: 22 March 2026

Shortlisting Date: w/c 23 March 2026

Interview Date: w/c 30 March 2026

Test/Presentation: You will be expected to demonstrate your skills in this specialist area. We may close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Richmond and Wandsworth Better Service Partnership are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.