Tribunal Officer

The role of the Tribunal Officer is to coordinate and collate information to support the Local Authority (LA) in a timely and high-quality way where there is a dispute about the identification of special educational needs, support arrangements or placements and ensuring all professionals required to provide evidence as part of the appeal comply in a timely way. The role will also involve attending resolution meetings with parents and other professionals in an attempt to settle the disputed issues without the need for formal legal redress wherever possible. This exciting professional development opportunity will include a responsibility for negotiating changes to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). Where such approaches do not lead to resolution within a supportive framework, you will need to represent the Local Authority at the First Tier Tribunal hearings (also known as Special Educational Needs & Disability Tribunal) to present the Local Authority's case and defend the
appropriateness of the proposed service provision/decision for an individual child.

Much of this role will be working from detailed reports about the young person's special needs and collating evidence to support or amend proposed service provision for individual young people.

In addition, this role entails acting as the SEND Service respondee to Complaints and Judicial Reviews, including pre action protocol letters, and some Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, as well entering formal mediation as the Local Authority representative., To plan and coordinate efficient and effective disagreement resolution processes to secure the highest standard in the defence of the Local Authorities decisions under appeal, with reference to EHC assessments and plans, placement and reviews of EHCP; to undertake mediation meetings to achieve successful agreement where possible with schools, parents, other LA teams and wider services.

To act as a lead officer in representing the LA at the First Tier Tribunal in cases where agreement cannot be reached on provision/placement; ensuring a high standard of presentation of the LA's case during the appeal process, including at hearings, and that all cases are progressed according to the prescribed timescales. This will include post hearing/order work.

To act as the respondee to Complaints and Judicial Reviews, including pre action protocol letters, and some Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, as well entering formal mediation as the Local Authority representative., a. To plan and coordinate efficient and effective disagreement resolution processes to secure the highest standard in the defence of the Local Authorities decisions under appeal, with reference to EHC assessments and plans, placement and reviews of EHCP; to undertake mediation meetings to achieve successful agreement where possible with schools, parents, other LA teams and wider services.

b. To act as a lead officer in representing the LA at the First Tier Tribunal (SENDisT) in cases under appeal; ensuring a timely and high standard of presentation of the LA's case at hearings and during the entire process and that all cases are progressed according to the prescribed timescales.

c. To contribute to the credibility of the SEND service by effectively managing the appeal process and successfully defending the LA decisions.

d. To oversee the work of the Tribunal Officer Assistant to ensure the efficient and effective running of the Tribunal Team.

e. To ensure that the new statutory and local policy performance indicators for the Tribunal Team are embedded within practice, updated monthly and met in full.

f. To attend and influence the South London Tribunal User Group.

g. To enter formal mediation on behalf of the SEND service.

h. For pupils with SEND, to ensure that schools use delegated SEN funding efficiently to improve outcomes for children's and young people with Special Educational Needs.

i. For pupils with SEND, to promote the policy of inclusion of children and young people with SEND in state funded mainstream or special school wherever possible drawing on strong negotiation and influencing skills across a range of complex SEND issues between parents, schools and multi-disciplinary practitioners. .

j. In cases where the legal team has been instructed, to be the instructing officer throughout the entire process, including attendance at hearing and post hearing work.

k. To ensure a seamless approach across the SEND service in the delivery of the service and customer care, including a timely upload of all documentation referring to a child or young person's case under appeal and a complete handover to the SEND team when concluding the appeal.

l. To work directly with parents, schools, parental appointed legal representatives and other professional bodies within the statutory and legal framework related to the First Tier Tribunal process.

m. 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 Tribunal Appeals.

n. Coordinate and collate information to support the Local Authority decisions where there is dispute regarding duties under section 3 CFA and section 9 COP.

o. Ensure all documentation linked to SEND appeals is distributed appropriately and within specified time restraints.

p. Present the Local Authority's cases at the First Tier Tribunal and defend appropriately.

q. Coordinate allocation and attendance processes linked to resolution of all disputes relating to the SEND tribunal process.

r. Arrange strategy meetings in line with the Protocol for Appeals regarding duties under section 3 CFA and section 9 COP.

s. Attend resolution meetings with parents and other professionals 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.

t. Engage with schools and other agencies to develop an awareness and understanding of the issues in relation to assessment and planning and person- centred approaches.

u. Offer coaching and training to service members to ensure consistency of approach, sharing and promoting best practice through the dissemination of statutory guidance and the learning from case studies.

v. Ensure the Tribunal Officer Assistant receives regular supervision, manage performance and support development through annual performance review.

w. Take responsibility for ensuring that the computerised database information is accurate and up to date at all times and that action is undertaken as required to ensure production of accurate and timely information.

x. Use management information and data to develop a framework and policies to help improve efficiency and effectiveness of the service and to ensure consistency of decision making through EHC assessments, plans and annual reviews.

y. Contribute to the wider SEND service aspirations, identifying opportunities to achieve integrated working on a multi-agency basis. Work as an effective team member within the wider SEND service.

z. Deliver termly training to the SEND team and bi-annual to partners reflective of Tribunal decisions so there is a cycle of learning from each appeal., GENERIC OBJECTIVES:

Contribute to Cognus Limited's business objectives at the appropriate level by ensuring every child matters and has access to education and learning opportunities, including:

a) Health and safety

b) Safeguarding and protection of children

c) Equal opportunities and management of diversity

d) Data protection

e) Outstanding Customer care

PROCESSING OF PERSONAL/SENSITIVE DATA:

The General Data Protection Regulations 2018 (GDPR) requires that those retrieving, processing, providing and monitoring information (i.e. the employer) must obtain consent from data subjects (i.e. the employees) for its legitimate use without compromising the identity of the individuals. By submitting your recruitment application for consideration and subsequently accepting an offer of employment following the interview assessment, you hereby agree and give

We are looking for a good negotiator with outstanding written and verbal communication skills and a strong eye for accuracy and detail. As well as an ability to be organised, use your own initiative and work to tight statutory deadlines, you

need to be flexible in approach and have good general ICT skills. Experience of legal or tribunal processes and working within the field of and/or an understanding of special educational needs legislation in relation to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). Management skills as will be managing the Tribunal team., · Ability to draft and prepare correspondence and reports which are accurate in terms of content, grammar and spelling. (E)

· Ability to analyse and interpret detailed and complex information and to use such information to benefit work objectives. (E)

· Ability to quickly assimilate information and make informed decisions under short time constraints. (E)

· Proven ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral form with a variety of audiences to ensure that key issues are identified and understood. (E)

· Proven negotiation skills that achieve desired outcomes. (E)

· Ability to work with minimum supervision, balancing using own initiative against need to seek management guidance. (E)

· Proven ability to work collaboratively as an effective wider team member to achieve service aspirations. (E)

· Ability to acquire and apply new knowledge to ensure that work/advice is consistent and reliable. (E)

· Proven ability to anticipate problems and achieve workable solutions to complex problems and to ensure contingencies are planned for. (E)

· Ability to identify work priorities and manage team workload to meet deadlines, ensuring objectives and targets are achieved with minimal disruption. (E)

· Ability to take responsibility for the overall quality of the work of individual team members. (E)

· Ability to performance manage to ensure the Tribunal Officer Assistant is supported in carrying out their role. (E)

· Ability to demonstrate sensitivity and objectivity in dealing with emotive and confidential issues. (E)

· Ability to reflect and learn from appeals and share the leaning.

· Ability to extract and present data from appeals and mediation. (E)

· Ability to form a rapport with the appellants so there is a cordiality to the management of the appeal process where possible and pertinent. (E)

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

· In depth knowledge and understanding of current SEND legislation and reform, statutory procedures and processes governing the provision of services for children & young people with special educational needs. (E)

· Knowledge and understanding of the impact of SEND on children and young people's educational outcomes and the Preparation for Adulthood agenda. (E)

· Knowledge and understanding of budgetary considerations and duty to ensure efficient use of public resources. (E)

· Knowledge and experience of working with Windows software; MS Excel, MS Word, Adobe (or similar software to create e-bundles for Tribunal).

· Experience of using a computerised database to support service delivery. (E)

· Experience of communicating with children and their families concerning complex issues. (E)

· Proven track record of complex case management in a multi-disciplinary environment. (E)

· Evidence of recent professional development. (D)

· Experience of working in a Local Authority. (D)

· Experience of working in an educational environment. (D)

· Experience of working in a legal environment. (D)

· Knowledge and experience of legal and tribunal processes. (D)

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES/OTHER

· Ability to support and challenge team members and other professionals as required. (E)

· Ability to demonstrate flexibility and a willingness to adapt to change. (E)

· Ability to work calmly and effectively under pressure and meet deadlines. (E)

· Reliability, honesty and a commitment to maintaining confidentiality. (E)

· A commitment to equalities in service delivery and employment and evidence of successful implementation of equalities in practice. (E)

· Ability to work flexible hours to meet to needs of the service. (E),

• A-Level or equivalent (preferred)
  
  Cognus Limited is about education. We believe there is no limit to learning and that learning is lifelong. Since our creation in November 2016, we exist to support schools, families, children and young people to access education and enjoy learning. Every child matters to us and we believe that access to education and learning is every child's fundamental right. We foresee every child and young person to achieve their full potential through education leading them to be our future leaders, professionals and economically active global citizens. Our children and young people are our future and we believe that every child is worth fighting for regardless of their abilities, disabilities, colour, creed, race, religion or ethnic origin.


Cognus is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that it works with. As such, an offer of employment is subject to safer recruitment practices which includes an enhanced DBS check, two professional references acceptable to Cognus Limited, proof of qualifications, proof of immigration status, proof of personal address and employment history covering 5 years and, fitness to work with children (occupational health assessment). We have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practices across the organisation.

You will give us great commitment and in return we offer an excellent package including:

i) Salary of £47,438.22

ii) Workplace pension scheme 4% to 8% matched contributions

iii) 28 days annual leave pro rata (plus Bank Holidays)

iv) Regular manager support and supervision

v) Hybrid and Flexible working

vi) Staff benefits package, currently including Employee Assistance Programme,

Perkbox and (upon completion of probation) Sovereign Healthcare Cashback plans

vii) Staff Council, Staff EDI group and Mental Health First Aiders to support

wellbeing and inclusion

viii) Cognus Coaching Programmes

ix) An ambitious culture with friendly and supportive colleagues,
• Company pension


• Employee discount


• Health & wellbeing programme


• Store discount


• Transport links


Schedule:

• Monday to Friday