Hertfordshire County Council
SEND Tribunals Officer
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SEND Tribunals Officer
Job Title: SEND Tribunals Officer
Starting Salary: £38,220 pa + £1,642 pa market enhanced payment*, progressing to £41,771 pa + £2,303 pa market enhanced payment*
Bonus: £2,000 one-off welcome payment* (external candidates only)
Hours: 37 per week
Location: Based at Stevenage or Hemel Hempstead, with hybrid working and travel across Hertfordshire
Contract Type: Permanent
Directorate: Children's Services
About the Team
The Tribunals Team manages and coordinates Hertfordshire’s response to SEND appeals. Responsibilities include:
- Preparing and presenting evidence for proceedings
- Acting as intermediary between the local authority, parents, schools, and other stakeholders
- Leading Pre-Action Protocols and Judicial Review preparations
- Advancing service improvement through collaborative consultation
- Representing the local authority at first-tier tribunal hearings
The team focuses on delivering an efficient, fair, and transparent tribunal service that adapts to evolving statutory and legal requirements.
About the Role
This storeői-level opportunity provides career advancement within legal representation, policy development, and multi-agency collaboration. With structured mentorship and on-the-job training, you will contribute towards ensuring every child receives the educational and support entitlements they are legally entitled to.
Key Responsibilities
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Case Management and Resolution:
- Oversee high-quality SEND appeal casework, prioritising reconciliation and strategic closure
- Ensure compliance with tribunal processes and statutory deadlines
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Representation and Advocacy:
- Attend and present at Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Tribunal hearings represents local authority interests
- Negotiate with parents, carers, young people and educational providers to achieve fair settlements
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Multi-Agency Coordination:
- Develop multi-agency tribunal responses, including:
- Creating comprehensive memo chronologies
- Arranging and chairing case planning and meetings
- Compiling evidence to support the authority’s legal position
- Develop multi-agency tribunal responses, including:
-
Service Development:
- Contribute to policy formulation, procedures, and departmental guidance
- Monitor changes in national SEND legislation and apply updates to caseloads
- Support agency training through induction, up-skilling sessions, and mentorship
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Records Management:
- Maintain accurate database entries tied to ongoing appeals
- Participate in quality assurance processes to improve service outcomes
About You
Essential Criteria
- Extensive experience working with families, children, or young people within the SEND statutory system, including:
- Proven knowledge of the Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan process
- Cross-sector collaboration with internal ERICs teams, schools, welfare services, and healthcare providers
- Strong understanding of SEND laws, regulations, and tribunal protocols with application to practice
- Exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Demonstrated ability to:
- Mediate complex discussions to resolve disputes collaboratively
- Work autonomously under pressure while meeting deadlines
- Process and synthesise detailed case information swiftly
- Communication skills that are both empathic and robust—capable of advocating authoritatively while reassuring stakeholders
- Fluency in proficiency-level English required (written and spoken to provide advice)
- Proven IT competency with experience handling data security
- Temporary licenced or probationary driving status / ability to apply for a company car
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Desirable Criteria
- Participated in SEND tribunal deputising or representation roles
- Specialisation in case law analysis or related policy areas
- Experience supporting young people’s social communication or behaviour anomalies
About Working with Us
- Location: Hertfordshire County Council is an equal opportunities employer and places flexibility at the heart of working practices.
- DBS Check: Applicant references require a recent Disclosure and Barring Service check as a cleared agent.
- Right to Work: All applicants must provide eligible work documentation at application stage.
- Interpretation Services: Reasonable adjustments will be made (including British Sign Language interpreters) for disabled candidates who request them.
Benefits and Job Profile
This role is based within the HSC10 (Health and Social Care Services) profile. Explore the full grading information below: Job profiles - Health & Social Care
How to Apply
This vacancy is ongoing and applications will be considered until filled. Act promptly: there is no set closing date.
Invite applicants to attach a current CV, and any written responses detailing how they meet the essentially outlined criteria would strengthen their application.
You will also posed to provide:
- A covering paragraph highlighting salary expectations, career trajectory, and how your work experience aligns with this role
- Specific workforce solutions for improving SEND process decision interventions
Disability Confident Initiative: We guarantee an interview to any applicant who discloses a disability and meets minimum hiring thresholds.
The vacancy contact for application discussion via email is: "Vanessa.Croxford@hertfordshire.gov.uk" (Vanessa Croxford).
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