SEND Tribunals Lead

Seven Resourcing are looking for a temporary SEND Tribunals Lead to work in Newham. This position is initially for a period of 3 months and is paying £350.00 per day (paid to you via an umbrella company). The role will involve working from Monday – Friday (9am – 5pm). 

The role:

To provide key leadership, representation and case management support to ensure that the Council discharges its responsibilities effectively in relation to statutory appeals to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST), which is part of her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS).

To work closely with internal and external stakeholders, including parents, legal services, schools and colleges to deliver positive outcomes for children and young people and to limit the Local Authority’s exposure to risk of appeals to Tribunal.

To ensure that learning from Tribunals, litigation and judicial review/complaints to the Local Government Ombudsman is disseminated across local area services and embedded into practice within the SEND 0-25 Service.

To provide support and advice to the casework team in the resolution of complex casework, ensuring that local authority professionals build strategic links with schools, parents, education provider services and other agencies to deliver positive outcomes for children and young people and to limit the Local Authority’s exposure to risk of appeals to Tribunals.

Key Responsibilities:

• To support the Council’s vision to enable every resident under 25 to be safe, happy and cared for, with positive activities to secure their long-term wellbeing.
• Advice on and attend resolution meetings with parents and other practitioners in an attempt to settle disputed issues without the need for formal legal redress wherever possible. This will include responsibility for negotiating changes to the EHC plans.
• Prepare cases for tribunal, liaising with Legal Services, SEND 0-25 service and multi-agency practitioners, and represent the Local Authority in a legal environment. This includes the preparation of evidence for the Local Government Ombudsman.
• Support colleagues to prepare chronologies and any other necessary paperwork, arrange and chair conferences with witnesses and perform other duties in relation to First Tier Tribunals and Appeals . Ensuring all documentation linked to SEN appeals is distributed appropriately and within specified timescales.
• Arrange and identify appropriate representation from the SEND 0-25 Service and other local area services at different meetings with parents, schools and other providers as appropriate, including chairing them as required.
• Ensure mediation and problem resolution is an active feature at an early stage in caseworkers’ engagement with families to reduce tribunal numbers.
• Present the Local Authority’s cases at the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal and defend appropriateness of the proposed service provision for an individual child/young person.
• Engage with schools and other agencies to develop an awareness and understanding of best practice in relation to assessment and planning and person-centred approaches.
• Maintain oversight of the work of the team responding to queries on the procedural implementation of the SEND Code of Practice, identifying opportunities for service improvement and sharing these with professionals across the 0-25 service .  Work with team managers to identify, manage and resolve any practice concerns. Provide and present high quality and evidence-based performance reports as required.
• Ensure team members receive regular supervision, manage performance and support team development through annual performance review of directly supervised / line-managed staff.

Applicant Requirements:

Qualifications:

To hold a relevant qualification (e.g., teaching, law, social work, childcare, psychology). 

Experience:   Substantial relevant experience of working in the service area / related profession field, with evidence of work responsibilities appropriate to the role and evidence of appropriate professional expertise. 

Compliance: Proof of ability to work and live in the UK. Current DBS check and 2 x references. 

Travel: Clean UK driving license with the ability to commute to and from work independently.

Hours: 36 hours p/w.

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