EHC Team Resolution and Family Liaison Team Leader

What will you be doing?

The Resolution and Family Liaison Lead is responsible for supporting and advising a small team of Tribunal Officers in preparing the LA’s response to appeals to the SEN & Disability Tribunal, determining the Further Evidence required and overseeing Tribunal Bundles. The role involves planning, research and presentation of legal issues and working alongside the Tribunal Officers, The SEND Team, schools, the Local Authority Education Legal Team and other key professionals and witnesses. The role will also involve representing the LA at Tribunal hearings as required.

The successful candidate will also oversee the implementation of disagreement resolution procedures and provide advice and training for SEND staff on their roles and responsibilities in relation to disagreement resolution and tribunals.

The Resolution and Family Liaison Lead is responsible for oversight of the Resolution and Complaints process. Allocation of initial customer complaint responses to the most SEN relevant officer, quality assurance and managing and preparing responses for councillors, MP’s and the LGSCO (Local Government Social Care Ombudsman). 

About you

You will have:

• a qualification at graduate/post graduate level such as a teaching qualification/social care qualification/health qualification followed by extensive post-qualification experience.   
• An ability to prepare responses to appeal and manage the process through all stages up to and including representing the Local Authorities at Tribunal hearings and compliance with final order.
• A robust knowledge of legislation e.g. Children’s Act 2014; Disability Discrimination Act 2005; Care Act and Equality Act 2010; Disability Act 2001; the Equalities Act 2010
• Experience of analysing complex written information and presenting to others
• Experience of implementing disagreement resolution procedures.
• The ability to work closely with other key stakeholders, agencies and parents / carers.
• Detailed knowledge and application of relevant SEND case law.
• Good time management and prioritisation ability.
• Attention to detail.
• Experience of Line Management, mentoring and support of Team.
• Data collection and reporting of area to Senior Leadership
• Tribunal experience. 
• An ability to provide effective leadership to a team of professionals.
• experience of co-ordinating and implementing a range of policy developments and initiatives at a senior level.
• A thorough up to date knowledge of relevant legislation, statutory duties and Local Authority Special Educational Needs Procedures.
• Excellent presentation skills
• Effective Budget and Financial planning skills.

Our benefits

We offer:

• a competitive salary
• a pension scheme, where we pay a significant contribution on top of your contribution. It provides life cover and ill-health protection.
• opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and potential in a large unitary council
• generous leave entitlement (28 days, rising to 33 days) and bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to an extra 10 days
• agile and flexible working arrangements to help you with a healthy work-life balance.

About us

We are a new unitary council, established in April 2021; we are one of the largest unitary councils in the country. Our vision for North Northants is to be 'A place where everyone has the best opportunities and quality of life'.

Our priorities are:

• helping people live active fulfilled lives
• caring for our young people, providing them with high quality education and opportunities
• enabling a thriving and successful economy
• leading on a green and sustainable environment
• ensuring our communities are connected so they can shape their lives and where they live
• providing modern public services

Our values, as chosen by our staff, are - Customer-focused, Respectful, Efficient, Supportive and Trustworthy.

Your differences make us different - Achieve Together.