SEND Family Liaison & Tribunal Lead

Are you passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND? Are you motivated by working with families, schools and partners to resolve concerns and ensure children receive the right support at the right time?

If so, Oldham Council is looking for an experienced and committed professional to join our SEND Team as SEND Family Liaison & Tribunal Lead. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting children, young people and families, managing complex casework and coordinating the Local Authority's arrangements for SEND mediation, disagreement resolution and tribunal activity. The successful candidate will work closely with children, young people, parents, carers, schools and partner agencies to support effective communication, strengthen relationships and help resolve concerns at the earliest opportunity.

We have high aspirations to achieve the very best outcomes for children and young people and are committed to delivering a responsive, person-centred SEND service. We are looking for someone who shares our values and determination to make a positive difference.

Key Responsibilities

• To manage a complex caseload of children and young people with SEND, including those undergoing an EHC Needs Assessment or who have an Education, Health and Care Plan.
• To work collaboratively with children, young people, parents, carers, schools and partner agencies to support positive outcomes and resolve concerns at the earliest opportunity.
• To coordinate the Local Authority's arrangements for disagreement resolution, mediation and SEND Tribunal activity, ensuring a timely, consistent and high-quality approach to case management and family engagement.
• To coordinate the preparation of documentation and supporting evidence for mediation and tribunal cases, ensuring statutory and tribunal deadlines are met.
• To liaise with families, schools, educational settings, professionals, legal representatives and other stakeholders in relation to mediation and tribunal activity.
• To attend mediation meetings and SEND Tribunal hearings and represent the Local Authority where appropriate.
• To maintain oversight of live mediation and tribunal cases and provide updates and information relating to case progress and outcomes.
• To identify themes and learning arising from complaints, mediation and tribunal activity and contribute to service improvement and quality assurance activity.
• To develop and maintain effective relationships with families, schools, educational settings, health partners, social care and other stakeholders.
• To ensure children, young people and their parents or carers are central to decision-making and that their views are captured and reflected appropriately.
• To establish and coordinate engagement opportunities with children, young people and families, ensuring feedback and lived experience inform service development and improvement.
• To work in partnership with schools, support services, health and social care professionals to gather and evaluate information relating to provision and support.
• To prepare reports, provide data, undertake quality assurance activity and contribute to service developments.
• To undertake any other duties commensurate with the level and responsibility of the role.

Key Requirements

• Good knowledge and experience of SEND legislation, the Children and Families Act 2014, the SEND Code of Practice, mediation and SEND Tribunal processes.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship management skills, with the ability to work effectively with families, schools, legal representatives and partner agencies.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage complex cases, competing priorities and statutory deadlines whilst maintaining a high standard of work.

We want Oldham to have vibrant, safe neighbourhoods where people are proud to live with opportunities for healthier, more fulfilled lives; and a sustainable, thriving economy. As we look to the future, the challenges may be significant, but so are the opportunities.

We’re looking for candidates who will support us to achieve our ambitions.

Our benefits package

• 25 days annual leave which increases after 5 and 10-years’ service.
• The option to purchase additional annual leave.
• An attractive LGPS benefit pension scheme with the option to make shared cost additional voluntary contributions.
• Discounted gym membership with Oldham Active.
• Staff discount scheme for shopping, entertainment, eating-out, eating-in, travel, motoring and more.
• Salary sacrifice scheme for home and electronics and Cycle to Work.
• Wellbeing support, including a Mental Health First Aider network and an Employment Assistance Programme that provides 24 hours access to advice and support.
• Staff recognition and celebration events.
• Peer support groups.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and therefore expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.