Independent Schools Inspectorate
Legal, Regulatory and Complaints Officer
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About the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI)
ISI is an independent inspectorate, appointed by the Department for Education to inspect association independent schools in England. Our inspection reports inform the Department for Education on the extent to which the statutory Independent School Standards are met. We are also approved by the Department for Education to inspect British schools overseas and by the Home Office to inspect private further education colleges and language schools. These cover more than 1,300 association independent schools and further education colleges which together educate half a million children and young people.
Every inspection assesses whether safeguarding arrangements for pupils meet the requirements of Keeping Children Safe in Education and other relevant statutory guidance. Our inspections evaluate all aspects of education through the lens of pupils’ wellbeing.
About the Role
As the Legal, Regulatory and Complaints Officer, you will support the Director of Legal, Regulation and Complaints and fellow Complaints Officers by providing legal, regulatory and complaints support. You will help to ensure the effective discharge of the inspectorate's statutory, regulatory and legal responsibilities through case management, governance administration, document drafting, information management and regulatory compliance. You will also support the development and implementation of policies and procedures relating to high-quality complaint handling and case management.
Key Responsibilities:
In this role, you will add value to the team by delivering the following key responsibilities –
Legal and Regulatory:
Portfolio of legal responsibilities including (but not limited to):
- Drafting and reviewing routine legal documents, correspondence, notices, legal case packs, policies and procedural documents
- Liaising with external legal advisers, counsel and relevant stakeholders where required.
- Undertaking research and preparing summaries, briefings and advice notes on matters relating to education law, public law, regulatory law, safeguarding, data protection and related areas
- Supporting the Director of Legal, Regulation and Complaints across all legal matters as needed.
- Maintain records of legal matters, ensuring high-quality documentation, accurate and secure record keeping.
- Assist in maintaining governance frameworks, registers, delegations and policy documentation relating to all legal and regulatory work.
- Assist in monitoring compliance with legal and regulatory obligations relevant to the inspectorate.
- Support data protection functions for GDPR compliance, including responding to subject access requests, reviewing existing policies and practices and delivering regular update training.
- Undertake data retrieval and compile responses to subject access requests and assuring high-quality data protection compliance activities, including record keeping and policy monitoring.
- Maintain compliance trackers and assist in reporting on legal and regulatory risks through up-to-date risk registers and strategy documents.
- Act as a professional point of contact for internal and external stakeholders on routine legal matters.
- Support with the delivery of legal, regulatory and compliance training where appropriate.
- Produce regulatory and legal update papers with the Director of Legal, Regulation and Complaints so that the executive team and senior management are fully appraised of legislative changes.
- Provide timely, succinct and accurate reporting to senior management and regulatory bodies.
- Provide written contributions to briefing documents, updates, handbooks, internal and external, on new regulations/legal requirements to enable staff and inspectors to perform their roles to an optimum level in areas of compliance and policy.
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Complaints:
- Oversee investigations and handle complaints from beginning to end. This will include drafting responses to complaints received and/or providing accurate and timely regulatory input into complaints, as required.
- Explain findings and conclusions with confidence, orally and in writing.
- Support with managing a comprehensive system of tracking that ensures clarity and robust processes in every stage of complaint handling and response.
- Liaise in a timely manner with schools, complainants, inspectors and other stakeholders to arrange meetings, calls and gather relevant information.
- Provide accurate and timely advice on stages of complaint handling and reporting including being agile with data collation and analysis.
- Evaluate data sets and produce high-quality reporting to senior leaders, the executive team and the Board.
- Think strategically on a day-to-day basis and in long, medium- and short-term planning so that all processes secure a cycle of continuous improvement in complaint handling and resolution.
General responsibilities:
- Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
- Ensure work is delivered with accuracy, professionally and within specified deadlines.
- Contribute to continuous improvement within the Legal, Regulatory and Complaints function.
- Undertake any other duties that commensurate with the level of the post.
Essential Criteria
The skills and qualities we are looking for include:
- Degree level or equivalent qualification
- Experience working in a legal, governance, regulatory or compliance environment
- Experience conducting legal research and drafting legal or governance documents
- Experience in administration or regulation, for example in private practice or in another educational institution or in a regulatory body
- Experience managing sensitive or confidential information
- Experience of working with stakeholders and senior managers on highly sensitive matters
- Experience supporting meetings, committees or formal governance processes
- Experience in complaint handling and high-quality stakeholder engagement
- Experience of implementing policy into comprehensive standard operating procedures and supporting documentation
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Desirable Criteria
- Graduate / post-graduate qualification in law
- Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. CILEX). CILEX qualification or equivalent relevant legal qualification
- Experience within education and/or inspectorate environments
- Experience supporting litigation or tribunal processes
Why Work for ISI
- Generous Annual Leave – Start with an enhanced annual leave entitlement of 25 days + bank holidays, increasing to 30 days + bank holidays after one year, helping you maintain a healthy work-life balance.
- Hybrid Working – Enjoy flexibility with our current arrangement of three days in the office and two days working from home.
- Supportive & Inclusive Culture – We foster a friendly, collaborative environment and offer enhanced family leave policies to support you during life’s important moments.
- Competitive Pension Scheme – ISI provides a non-contributory pension, contributing 10% of your gross salary after three months of employment.
- Diversity & Inclusion – Join a team that values diversity across people and roles, creating a dynamic and welcoming workplace.
- 24/7 Wellbeing Support – Through our Employee Assistance Programme, you’ll have access to confidential counselling, financial advice, and resources whenever you need them.
How to Apply
Please apply by submitting your CV and a cover letter explaining your interest in the role and how your skills and experience align with the position.
Application Deadline: Monday 17 August at 9am
Applicants who meet the role and person specification will be invited to an initial interview via Microsoft Teams. The interview process is expected to commence towards the end of August. Successful candidates will then progress to a second-stage interview which will be held in person at the ISI office.
Appointment is subject to a clear basic DBS, right to work and references check by ISI.
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