Job Title: Special Educational Needs (SEN) Tribunal Officer
Grade: PS10 (371–438)
Directorate: Children, Schools & Learning
Reports To: Senior Tribunal Officer
Location: Surrey (Countywide travel required)
Overall Purpose of the Role
To lead and deliver a high-quality tribunal case management service for children and young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN) who are at risk of or engaged in appeals to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SEND). The role involves representing the Local Authority at tribunal hearings, ensuring statutory compliance, reducing parental recourse to tribunal, and delivering a solution-focused, legally robust service aligned with current legislation and best practice.
Key Responsibilities1. Tribunal Case Management
* Manage a caseload of approximately 145–150 SEND tribunal cases annually.
* Lead identification, analysis, preparation, and review of tribunal cases.
* Draft detailed responses, witness statements, and legal documentation.
* Represent the Local Authority at SEND tribunal hearings.
* Ensure statutory deadlines and procedural requirements are met.
2. Legal & Statutory Compliance
* Maintain up-to-date knowledge of SEND legislation, statutory guidance, and case law.
* Ensure compliance with the Children and Families Act 2014, SEND Code of Practice, and related frameworks.
* Provide expert advice to SEN teams, schools, and senior leadership.
3. Stakeholder & Partnership Working
* Work directly with parents/carers, schools, legal representatives, and multi-agency professionals.
* Lead complex negotiations to resolve disputes and reduce escalation to tribunal where possible.
* Build effective relationships across Children’s Services, Corporate Parenting, and partner agencies.
4. Risk & Safeguarding
* Identify and escalate risks associated with complex cases.
* Ensure safeguarding and wellbeing considerations are addressed appropriately.
* Operate within confidentiality and information governance frameworks.
5. Service Development
* Contribute to development of SEN policy, procedures, and service improvements.
* Promote best practice and consistency across geographical SEN teams.
* Support quality assurance processes and continuous improvement.
6. People & Resource Management
* Provide operational leadership and support to team members where required.
* Contribute to performance management and staff development.
* Work with awareness of resource implications and budget constraints.
Person SpecificationEssential
* Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience.
* Significant experience within SEND services or tribunal/legal frameworks.
* Proven complex case management experience in multi-disciplinary environments.
* Strong knowledge of SEND legislation and statutory procedures.
* Excellent advocacy, negotiation, and influencing skills.
* Strong written communication skills (legal drafting experience desirable).
* Ability to manage high-volume, complex caseloads under pressure.
* IT proficiency including MS Office and case management systems.
* Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel countywide.
Desirable
* Experience representing Local Authorities at SEND tribunals.
* Experience managing or supervising staff.
* Experience in policy development and service improvement initiatives.