Job Introduction
Do you enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, have great knowledge of SEND legislation and excel in working to meet deadlines?
You can play your part in sharing our vision to develop and support the work of the Tribunal team.
Leading on Complaints and Tribunals constantly responding to changing priorities and our officers must be just as flexible. The appeals are wide-ranging so there’s a lot of variety to being a Lead SEND Complaints and Tribunals Officer. We are looking for an officer with experience of working within the SEND system with detailed knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice to facilitate ongoing work, both in reducing the number of appeals to SENDIST and to lead on the resolution of appeals, as they arise. This will include supporting legal team with representing the Local Authority at First Tier SENDIST Tribunal hearings. In addition, the post holder will take a lead on managing the SEND mediation processes, including meetings with families, schools and a mediator. The role also requires providing support and coaching to the SEND Assessment and Monitoring Team in the resolution of casework. The role requires close attention to detail, analytical skills, excellent communication skills, teamwork and professionalism.
We’re looking for people who have previously worked in a Local Authority with experience of the SEND processes in relation to EHNAs and EHCPs and are proud to support our families of children and young people with special educational needs.
This is a fast-paced environment; you’ll need to be able to work under pressure and be extremely well organised, taking a pro-active approach to your workload.
We are looking for an experienced SEND case officer to work in Medway Council where they will hold a caseload of children and provide an effective, evidence-based intervention with consideration of timeliness and impact.
In return we offer you:
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Generous local government pension scheme package
- Access to wider training and development qualifications
- Flexible working scheme
- Travel plan discounts
- Car Benefit Scheme from Tusker
- Access to CAREFIRST advice & counselling service
- Employee discount scheme for national and local retailers
The Government has introduced new ways of supporting parents with childcare costs. Further details are available here: - https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
We're committed to making Medway carbon neutral by 2050. We have developed an action plan to ensure we play our part in addressing the climate emergency. Our declaration fits into our Council Plan priority of making Medway a place to be proud of. The main outcome being a 'clean and green environment'. All Medway Council staff can access an additional day’s paid leave to undertake a volunteering activity which supports climate change.
Our organisation:
Medway is a unitary authority in the South East of England, made up of the towns of Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham and more rural areas, including the Hoo Peninsula.
Situated in Kent in the South-East of England, the area has plenty of green spaces, excellent facilities and easy access to the national motorway and rail networks, facilitating superb transport links to London.
We provide all local Government services for a quarter of a million people, looking after education, environment, social care, housing, planning, business and much more - everything from frontline services such as rubbish collection and events like the Dickens Festival to work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure services in Medway run smoothly and cost effectively.
Working at Medway Council means that you get to be part of this journey working alongside talented, professional colleagues to drive forward change to transform the lives of our residents and the communities they live in.
If you would like to have an informal discussion with the recruiting manager please e-mail Susan Bright on susan.bright@medway.gov.uk
Important Information-
Applicants must be able to demonstrate all essential requirements as listed in the job profile
Equal Opportunities Commitment Statement
Medway Council is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All appropriately qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, disability, marital status, family commitments, sexual orientation, age, HIV status, religious or political beliefs, social class or trade union activity or irrelevant spent conviction.
For further information please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online.
Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.
Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.
