Senior Appeals Officer

Seven Resourcing is working with Nottinghamshire County Council to recruit a Senior Appeals Officer for their Children, Families and Cultural Services

Integrated Children’s Disability Service (ICDS)- Assessment Team.

£400 per day via umbrella.

Initial 3 month contract with the onlook of extension.

Job Purpose:

To take the lead on SENDisT tribunals on behalf of the Local Authority (LA), preparing the LA defence, training senior practitioners and deputising for the Team Manager with responsibility for appeals.

Duties:

1.    Take a lead on preparing the Local Authority (LA) response to SENDisT appeals

2.    Prepare the LA’s case, identifying relevant legal points, the evidence required to support our legal position and support for witnesses

3.    To have a robust and positive approach to preparing the LA’s defence utilising strength based practice to problem solve issues throughout appeals

4.    Present the LA’s case at hearings, having met all deadlines throughout the appeal process and have a thorough understanding of the issues relevant to individual cases

5.    Build a strong professional network of colleagues and partners within education, health and care ensuring colleagues and partners are well informed throughout and have a firm understanding of their role within the process.

6.    Attend regular triage meetings, taking the lead as and when required including identifying recurring themes, areas of strength and development for the LA

7.    Act as a role model to locality senior practitioners with regards all aspects of tribunal casework and appeals.

8.    Quality assure your own appeal work and that of colleagues which may include training and continued professional development

9.    Demonstrate strong communication skills both orally and written, with experience of leading and resolving difficult conversations with families, partners, advocates and legal representatives

10.    Hold a small complex caseload which may include cases linked to judicial reviews and LGSCO

11.    Demonstrate the ability to work under pressure, meeting deadlines whilst managing complex legal information

12.    Alert the Assessment Manager to any safeguarding concerns and ensure that case workers are compliant with good practise. 

13.    To contribute to the financial management of the school’s High Needs Budget through securing positive outcomes for young people that also reflects the best use of the public purse 

14.    To support the Assessment Manager and Team Manager in ensuring the service meets performance standards and that national indicators are achieved.

15.    To deputies for the Assessment Manager and attend and represent the service at events and meetings as necessary 

Applicant Requirements:

Qualifications:

University Degree at grade 2:2 or above. 1.    Educated to a level 6 or above qualification in a Children’s Services or Adult related area.

Experience: 2.    Excellent knowledge and understanding  of complex case management

3.    Have detailed working knowledge of the Education, Health & Care statutory assessment process alongside knowledge of Nottinghamshire’s education landscape

4.    Knowledge and understanding of SEND education and its management across a range of educational settings and providers.

5.    Knowledge of the barriers facing children and young people with SEND and the challenge of inclusion 

6.    Strong working knowledge and application of the Children and Families Act 2014, SEND Regulations 2015 and SEND Code of Practice 2014 and the Mental Capacity Act. 7.    Knowledge of other related legislation including:

–    Legislation governing Adult Social Care, the Children’s Act 1989&2004 and safeguarding processes. 

–    Education Act 1996

–    School admissions code 2014 

–    Equality Act 2010

–    Care Act 2014

8.    Knowledge of the Nottinghamshire graduated approach funding system and Decision Support  Tool (DST). 1.    Minimum of 4 years’ experience within the service area.

2.    Experience of supporting EHC coordinators, Senior Practitioners with complex cases  by offering managerial guidance and or direction 

3.    Extensive experience of working with children, young people and families who present with highly complex SEN and disability, offering creative, pragmatic and workable solutions

4.    Experience of working with children, young people or adults and their families in a safeguarding capacity 

5.    Experience of solution focused planning in order to resolve complex case work issues e.g. Placement at Risk resolution 

6.    Experience of preparing for and attending SEN and Disability Tribunals/Mediation meetings.

7.    Experience of working in a multi-agency environment and partnership working.

8.    Experience of promoting equality and diversity.

Compliance: Proof of ability to work and live in the UK. QTS gained from an ITT programme.

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

Hours: 37.5 hours p/w.

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