Senior Appeals Officer

Position: Senior Appeals Officer (Contract)
Location: Huyton

We are looking for an Individual with significant mediation and Tribunal experience within a SEND Team to undertake appeal work and represent the LA at mediation and tribunal SENDIST hearings, including case preparation and evidence gathering, and senior level casework.
The post is 5 days per week and is remote working.
Day rate for this post is £(Apply online only) per day dependent on experience and is currently agreed for 3 months, with the chance for this to be extended for 6 months.

Oversee and manage the statutory education, health and care plan, assessment process, provision and review for Pre 16 children and young people with SEND in their identified locality under the Education Act 1996, Children and Family Act 2014, SEN Code of Practice 2014 and Equality Act 2010
Oversee and ensure that children, young people and families are fully included in the EHC assessment process from the start, ensuring information, advice and support is given to enable participation in discussions and decisions about their plan and provision.
Oversee and manage the development of a partnership approach with the child or young person, their family, and associated professionals from education, health, social care and the third sector to ensure the accurate, co-ordinated and timely identification, assessment and review of the child’s need.
Responsible for the quality and accuracy of statutory SEND documents and be the authorised officer to sign these.
Line manage, including the regular supervision, robust case supervision and appraisals of a Locality SEND team with direct supervision for SEND Caseworkers.
To ensure that staff are up to date with mandatory training and to raise any performance issues with staff as appropriate and agree a plan of action to support their development.
Offering identified support and training as required.
To effectively manage and oversee the allocation of new work. Monitor the performance of the team and ensure their compliance with performance targets relating to: the statutory EHC assessment process, Annual Reviews and partnership working with the child, family and professional agencies.
Manage and monitor the impact and quality of special education, health and care assessments, plans and provisions, which include the preparation for adulthood where required, for 0-25 years old children and young people.
To informing decision making and determine suitable specialist provision in consultation with the child, family and professional agencies.
Analyse and provide professional input into a range of complex assessment and provision issues; supporting and advising SEND Caseworkers on an individual basis or in multi-agency meetings with resolving specific areas of casework which are most complex and sensitive in nature.
To hold a small caseload of the those most complex cases
Develop and champion SEND in the locality and provide a vital link for school settings and partner agencies in the locality, providing advice and practical guidance to schools, other Locality SEND Practice Supervisors and professional agencies on the development and review of SEND
Contribute to the monitoring of children and young people’s progress in partnership with professional agencies ensuring outcomes are met and monitor the impact of school’s special arrangements on the progress of children with SEND and make recommendations to school improvement officers.
Develop and maintain strong links with school improvement services and other educational, health and care services within the local authority and out of county resources used by the local authority; gaining a developed understanding of the demands and issues within a locality.
Respond to complaints from parents and carers at the earliest opportunity.
Provide responses to complaints, gather appropriate information and evidence to respond to Judicial reviews and LGSO as required to support the team manager and service manager
Lead on and represent the Local Authority at SEND tribunals, Mediation and other resolution meetings. This includes the preparation and presentation of the Authority’s position and a requirement to provide support to other professionals who may be a…