Neway International are seeking a Senior Appeals Officer to join our client based with Nottinghamshire County Council.
Location
Remote
Hours
37 hours per week
Start Date
23 March 2026
Duration
12 Weeks
About the Client
Nottinghamshire County Council’s Integrated Children’s Disability Service sits within the Children and Families directorate, delivering statutory SEND services across Education, Learning and Inclusion. The service supports children and young people aged 0–25 with SEND, ensuring legal compliance, high‑quality assessments, and strong partnership working with families and professionals.
The Role
The Senior Appeals Officer will lead on complex SEND casework, mediation, and tribunal activity, representing the Local Authority at SENDIST hearings. The role includes oversight of statutory EHC processes, quality assurance of SEND documentation, supervision of locality SEND teams, and ensuring compliance with the Children and Families Act 2014, SEN Code of Practice 2014, Education Act 1996 and Equality Act 2010. This is a senior specialist position requiring significant experience in mediation, tribunal preparation, and SEND legislation.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead on mediation, SENDIST tribunal appeals, evidence gathering and presentation of the Local Authority’s position.
* Oversee statutory EHC assessments, reviews and provision for pre‑16 children and young people.
* Ensure children, young people and families are fully included in the EHC process, providing information and support to enable participation.
* Develop strong partnership working with education, health, social care and third‑sector professionals.
* Act as authorised officer for signing statutory SEND documentation.
* Line manage and supervise SEND Caseworkers, ensuring performance, training and development needs are met.
* Allocate and monitor new work, ensuring compliance with statutory timescales and performance targets.
* Manage and quality‑assure EHC assessments, plans and provisions, including preparation for adulthood.
* Provide professional advice on complex assessment and provision issues, supporting caseworkers and multi‑agency meetings.
* Hold a small caseload of the most complex cases.
* Champion SEND practice within the locality, offering guidance to schools and partner agencies.
* Monitor progress and outcomes for children and young people with SEND, advising school improvement colleagues where required.
* Maintain strong links with educational, health and care services, including out‑of‑county provision.
* Respond to complaints, judicial review enquiries and LGSCO investigations.
* Support and challenge education settings to deliver the graduated approach.
* Participate in internal decision‑making panels, ensuring cases are fully reviewed in advance.
* Lead on specialist SEND areas (Early Years, Primary, Secondary, Post‑16).
* Provide cover for the EHC Assessment Team Manager when required.
* Drive improvements in EHCP quality, contributing to the Quality Assurance Framework.
* Maintain oversight of children educated otherwise than at school (EOTAS), electively home educated, or not receiving full‑time education.
* Ensure accurate case recording and data management.
* Alert management to performance or practice concerns within the locality.
Candidate Requirements
Essential Experience & Qualifications
* Significant experience in SEND mediation and tribunal representation.
* Extensive knowledge of SEND legislation including the Children and Families Act 2014, SEN Code of Practice 2014, Education Act 1996 and Equality Act 2010.
* Experience managing statutory EHC processes and complex SEND casework.
* Experience supervising or managing SEND Caseworkers or similar roles.
* Strong partnership working across education, health and social care.
* Ability to analyse complex information and provide professional advice.
* Experience responding to complaints, judicial review enquiries and LGSCO matters.
* Strong written communication skills, including preparation of tribunal evidence.
Desirable
* Experience leading locality SEND practice.
* Experience quality‑assuring EHCPs and contributing to service improvement frameworks.
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