Send Complex Case, Tribunal & Complaints Officer - Sunderland Together for Children - £27.59ph

Tripod are the fastest growing specialist health and social work Recruitment Company in the UK. Our team includes some of the most experienced consultants in the country who have the knowledge and skills to find you the best opportunities and further your career. We aim to make things as simple as possible for you and guide you through the whole process.

We are currently recruiting for the below post:

Send Complex Case, Tribunal & Complaints Officer - Sunderland Together for Children - £27.59 per hour

• To lead the tribunal, mediation, dispute resolution and complaints functions relating to the identification and assessment of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and the production, review and maintenance of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). • To represent Together for Children Sunderland and the Local Authority at the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability), preparing and presenting robust evidence‑based cases and defending the appropriateness of proposed provision and placement. • To act as the Local Authority decision maker in SEND mediations and lead early resolution activity to reduce escalation to tribunal, complaint, litigation, judicial review or the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. • To lead complex SEND casework, where the case is part of an ongoing legal process, using effective negotiation, mediation and influencing skills with children and young people, parents and carers, education settings, legal representatives and multi‑agency professionals. • To support the Strategic SEND Lead and SEND Team Manager by preparing high‑quality responses to complaints, enquiries from MPs and elected members, and other formal correspondence. • To provide advice, coaching and professional support to SEND staff, strengthening statutory compliance, consistency of decision making and the quality of EHCP casework. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore requires a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure statutory SEND processes and tribunal activity comply with current legislation, statutory guidance, tribunal directions and required timescales.
• Lead the preparation of legal cases for the First‑tier Tribunal, working with Legal Services, SEND case officers, education settings, witnesses and partner agencies to identify, collate and quality assure relevant evidence.
• Draft clear, comprehensive tribunal responses, case statements, working documents, witness information and hearing bundles, ensuring documents are complete, accurate and distributed within specified deadlines.
• Represent the Company and Local Authority at tribunal hearings and other legal proceedings as required, presenting the case professionally and responding to judicial questions and evidence.
• Arrange and chair pre‑hearing conferences with witnesses and coordinate representation and attendance at hearings, mediations, resolution meetings and case‑management discussions.
• Act as the Local Authority decision maker at mediations and negotiate lawful, proportionate and child‑centred resolutions, including agreed amendments to EHCPs where appropriate.
• Promote early mediation and problem resolution in casework, working sensitively with families and professionals to resolve disputed issues without formal legal redress wherever possible.
• Lead or advise on complex cases open to legal process, complaints and disputes, making evidence‑based judgements where decisions may have a significant impact on children, young people and families, including cases where placements are at risk.
• Draft, amend and quality assure EHCPs and provide advice on the statutory assessment, review and maintenance of plans in line with the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice.
• Work with SEND colleagues and partners to ensure children and young people with EHCPs are placed in appropriate provision in a timely manner and that planning supports the next stage of education.
• Liaise with mainstream schools, special schools, colleges, alternative providers, health services, Adult Services, Children’s Social Care, legal representatives and specialist services to secure coordinated planning and positive outcomes.
• Provide advice, coaching and training to SEND staff on tribunal practice, complex case resolution, statutory guidance and learning from case law, complaints and completed cases.
• Support the SEND Team Manager to maintain oversight of complex casework, tribunal and complaint activity, workflow and statutory deadlines, escalating risk and delay appropriately.
• Prepare evidence and responses for complaints, Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman enquiries, MP and elected member enquiries, and other formal requests for information.
• Contribute to the development and review of operational guidance, team protocols, casework standards, policies and procedures, identifying opportunities for service improvement and consistent decision making.
• Use management information and case data to identify themes, monitor demand and performance, improve service efficiency and provide accurate reports and briefings to senior management and governance groups.
• Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date electronic case records and ensure information is recorded, handled and shared in line with legal, organisational and information governance requirements.
• Represent the SEND Team Manager as required and contribute to wider SEND service developments, cross‑service projects and local capacity building with education providers.
• To safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
• Champion equity, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of your work and the communities you assist.

Our Expectations You must undertake this role in accordance with the requirements set out below:

• Comply with Together for Children’s Code of Conduct, People policies and procedures, Health and Safety Policy and EDI Statement.
• Uphold all relevant professional policies, standards and legislative requirements
• Adhere to the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR principles in relation to the management and handling of personal and/or sensitive information and respect the privacy of personal information managed by Together for Children Sunderland.
• Comply with the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

This job description is a guide to the duties you will be expected to perform. It is not an exhaustive list, and you may be required to undertake other tasks and duties not listed that are reasonably commensurate with the job role and grade of the post. Where a fundamental change to the job description is needed this will be discussed with the postholder prior to any changes being made

Benefits within this role

• Competitive pay rate
• Long contracts for good performance
• Supportive team and management
• Progression opportunities
• Remote working available
• Flexible working
• Condensed Working Weeks negotiable

Working with Tripod Partners offers you a number of benefits including:

• Your own designated consultant and one point of contact
• CV review service
• Interview advice and preparation
• Access to the widest variety of social work jobs across 150 authorities and private organisations throughout the UK
• Prompt and reliable payroll
• Free DBS and compliance service
• £500 referral fee