At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families in resolving disputes related to special educational needs.
- Company: Join Surrey County Council's dedicated Mediation and Dispute Resolution Team.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days holiday, hybrid working, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Be part of an ambitious team focused on collaborative and child-centred solutions.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in mediation or conflict resolution and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 42958 - 42958 £ per year.
This permanent role has a starting salary of £42,958 per annum, based on a 36 hour working week.
We have a great opportunity to join our Mediation and Dispute Resolution Team as a Mediation and Dispute Resolution Officer.
We support hybrid working with the right balance.
We come together in person for 2 days per week on average, equivalent to 40% of the working week, and support working from home the rest of the time.
Our Offer to You
- 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
- Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
- A generous local government salary related pension
- Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
- Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
- An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
- Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
- A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents.
About The Role
The Mediation and Dispute Resolution Team is a developing team within Surrey County Council's SEND service.
Our ambition is to provide a solution-focused, relational and child-centred service which supports earlier resolution, strengthens collaborative working and reduces the need for families to escalate concerns through formal routes, including SENDIST where this can appropriately be avoided.
As a Mediation and Dispute Resolution Officer, you will play an important role in supporting children, young people and families where there is disagreement or emerging dispute in relation to special educational needs and provision.
You will work with parents and carers, schools, settings, SEND colleagues and partner agencies to understand the issues, analyse evidence, promote restorative and solution-focused conversations, and help identify constructive ways forward.
This is a varied and rewarding role within a fast-paced statutory environment.
You may be facilitating or supporting mediation discussions, representing the Local Authority in mediation, working with colleagues to resolve issues before they escape, analysing complex case information, or contributing to learning that helps improve practice across the wider SEND system.
We are looking for someone who is confident working in complex and sensitive situations, has strong written and verbal communication skills, and is able to build effective relationships with families, professionals and colleagues.
You will need to be organised, analytical and able to manage competing priorities while maintaining a clear focus on improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
What You will Be Doing
- Supporting the identification, analysis and resolution of SEND-related disagreement at the earliest appropriate point.
- Working directly with parents, carers, schools, settings and professionals to support constructive and restorative conversations.
- Preparing for, facilitating and representing the Local Authority within mediation and dispute resolution activity.
- Analysing case information, statutory paperwork and professional evidence to understand areas of dispute, risk and potential resolution.
- Working closely with SEND Tribunal Officers, Area SEND Teams and other colleagues to ensure joined-up case management and clear communication.
- Supporting the service to identify themes, learning and opportunities for improvement arising from mediation and dispute resolution activity.
- Promoting relational practice, collaborative working and child-centred decision making across the SEND system.
- Your Application
In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:
- Knowledge and understanding of SEND statutory processes and the factors that support robust, sustainable decision making.
- Experience of working with families, schools, settings or professionals in complex, sensitive or disputed situations.
- Experience of mediation, restorative practice, conflict resolution or other approaches that support early resolution and collaborative problem solving.
- Strong analytical skills, including the ability to review complex information, identify key issues and consider risk.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly, sensitively and professionally with a range of audiences.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work within statutory or service timescales.
- A commitment to inclusive practice, relational working and improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
Join Surrey County Council and be part of a service that is ambitious, collaborative and dedicated to making a real difference for children, young people and families.
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 23rd August 2026 with interviews planned to follow.
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027.
If you are employed by Surrey on 1 April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.
Our Commitment
We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum shortlisting criteria as displayed on the advert, we guarantee you an interview.
Your skills and experience truly matter to us.
From application to your first day, we are committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need.
We value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.
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Mediation and Dispute Resolution Officer in Woking employer: Radix Solutions
Join Bridgend County Borough Council as an Occupational Therapist and be part of a dedicated team that prioritises the well-being and independence of individuals facing complex challenges. With a strong commitment to evidence-based practice, you will benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages collaboration with various health professionals, ongoing professional development, and a focus on innovative care strategies. Enjoy the unique advantage of working in a vibrant community setting, where your contributions directly impact the lives of residents while enjoying a flexible hybrid working policy.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mediation and Dispute Resolution Officer in Woking
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
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We think you need these skills to ace Mediation and Dispute Resolution Officer in Woking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Radix Solutions:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Radix Solutions! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Radix Solutions
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
