Job Description
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Please note that this job will be based in Chelmsford.
Interviews will be conducted in early October - successful candidate will be notified once adverts have closed.
The Education Legal Services Officer represents the Council in SEND appeals and makes recommendations in other legal issues to reduce the numbers of SEND appeals. The post holder will undertake complex casework and provide high level advice to SEN managers and other colleagues in relation to complex statutory issues.
Extensive knowledge of SEN legislation, the Code of Practice and case law is required.
Service/Functional Accountabilities
Responsible for representing the Council at SEN Tribunal hearings, preparing the case response (statement), negotiating and liaising with parents, schools and legal representatives and advising the Council regarding the possible outcomes for the case.
Support the SEN managers with complex casework including parental appeals to the Tribunal, Ombudsman cases and judicial reviews.
Provide high quality advice, support and training to Council teams involved with SEND hearings, to enable effective resolution over school and governing body responsibilities.
Support links with other services and agencies to ensure a coordinated response on operational issues relating to areas of shared responsibility within the SEN framework.
Maintain current knowledge on changes to SEN statutory requirements, collaborating with senior staff to highlight implications for practice and support the effective implementation of the Council's Policies and the SEN Action Plan.
Responsible for production and maintenance of guidance notes for SEN staff to deliver governor training programmes, training on statutory requirements and on SEND appeal procedures, within the SEN framework.
Contribute to quality control mechanisms within SEN teams to support quality assurance processes.
Work collaboratively across the Council, to contribute to monitoring the costs of non-county provision and taking action as appropriate.
Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.
Knowledge, skills and experience
• Educated to RQF Level 3 (A level) or equivalent by experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional area with recent relevant training in SEN issues and education legislation.
• Experience of conducting SEN tribunal appeals and representing parties at tribunals.
• Extensive knowledge of SEN legislation, the Code of Practice and case law.
• Experience of providing quality advice to other senior managers in a complex organisation.
• Experience of responding to ombudsman complaints and judicial reviews.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written with the ability to communicate in a range of mediums to a wide audience.
Qualification certificates should be brought to interview.
To apply for this role please visit Essex County Council's recruitment website www.workingforessex.com
Information about the School
Essex County Council (ECC) is one of the largest and most dynamic local authorities in the UK, serving a population of 2 million residents, and has a very successful track record of delivering transformational change. ECC anticipated change was needed in the public sector and has worked to deliver better quality at lower cost. We have an ambitious transformation agenda – one with the scope to reach every part of the council. We are changing the way we think, the way we work, and the ways in which we deliver our services. We are committed to becoming a place where individuals, partners and communities feel proud to play their role and genuinely want to belong. We’re immensely proud of our flexible working options.