Vacancies

Senior Tribunal Officer

Main Responsibility

• Manage and respond to appeals lodged against Education, Health and Care Plan decisions, making recommendations in-line with compliance and meeting statutory deadlines by preparing detailed written responses, case statements, and legal submissions in collaboration with the relevant members of the SEND Team working in partnership.
• Continue to build upon a strong professional network of colleagues and partners within education, health and care ensuring colleagues and partners are well informed throughout an appeal and have a firm understanding of their role including their accountability. 
• Represent the local authority at SENDis Tribunal hearings by taking the lead, providing expert knowledge and advice, being point of contact and presenting evidence. Where required working with our in-house legal representatives and external legal services in exceptional cases.
• Frequently making decisions, while understanding risks in order to represent the local authority as a decision maker at mediation meetings with families. This will also include sharing best course of action, specifically with regards to complex cases with the Senior Leadership Team.
• Provide expert advice on SEND legislation, including the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice.
• Liaise with families, schools and professionals on cases that involve confidential, sensitive and complex information to seek resolution before tribunal where possible.
• Responsibility for gathering, handling and managing complex and confidential information in relation to appeal cases, in preparation of mediation and tribunals. 
• Liaise with our Legal Team and work to resolve Judicial Review claims ahead of action.
• Line management and supervision of the tribunals team. 
• Enhanced plus barred DBS – working within regulated activity providing advice/guidance on physical, emotional or educational wellbeing. 

The Ideal Candidate

• Level 5 qualification or above in the relevant area, as well as demonstrable knowledge and experience of working within the education environment and SEND law. With a clear understanding of current Special Educational Needs principles, procedures and current legislation related to SEN and Disability Discrimination Act.
• Understanding of the statutory assessment and review process for an EHCP with a clear understanding of current Special Educational Needs principles and procedures and current legislation related to SEN and Disability Discrimination Act.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, evidence-based case statements.
• Experience of working within SEND, education, legal services or a similar field.
• Excellent negotiation and problem-solving skills to resolve disputes effectively, with experience in working with families and professionals who may be at dispute with the local authority whilst being considerate of the need for a sensitive and constructive manner.
• Knowledge of complex information and data required from different sources, for appeal bundles and tribunal cases.

Driving Licence and Vehicle Insurance with Business Insurance 

For this role, the candidate is required to have a full UK driving licence, along with access to a vehicle. 

Evidence of the driving licence and vehicle insurance with business insurance will be required from the candidate should they be offered this position. Without this documentation the candidate will not be appointable. 

DBS Enhanced 

Should you be offered the role, as part of the pre-employment checks an Enhanced DBS will be actioned for you (unless you are on the DBS Update Service). 

Package Description

In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:

• Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
• Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
• A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
• Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
• Salary sacrifice car scheme – low-cost leasing of electric and low emission vehicles.
• Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.

Why join us? Along with more on our Benefits, discover why Working at the City Council could be the right move for you here Working at the Council | Milton Keynes

Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week.  Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.

About The Organisation

Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.

We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference. 

We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.

We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.

If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.