Senior SEN Officer (Tribunals)

About Us

Do you want to make a difference? A REAL difference? Join Oxfordshire County Council on an exciting journey towards Delivering the Future Together, our ambitious transformation programme which will enable us to be an employer, partner, and place shaper of choice. We're seeking the right people who can help us get there while embracing our value of daring to do it differently, as we continue to strive to do better. In our Children, Education & Families Directorate, we want every child to have the best possible education and with this goal in mind, we've set out to improve and transform our services. We're currently in the process of re-evaluating and restructuring our Specialist Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services, with the objective of advancing the educational outcomes for children and young people. We are pleased with the promising progress in SEND services, with Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) reporting that Oxfordshire's local area partnership has taken effective action to make improvements in services and support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) following a monitoring visit in September 2025. Oxfordshire County Council is a financially stable local authority which is committed to investing in Children, Education and Families. Together, we ensure that we have the resources we need to make a real difference to the people we support.

About the role

We've transformed the way we help our communities to get the best outcomes possible for every child and family we work with. As part of this, we continue to invest in Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND), with the growth of our four sub teams within the EHCP Casework Team: Assessment Team, Early Years and Primary Team, Secondary and Post 16 Team and Tribunals, Resolutions and Compliance Team. Due to our continued investment in SEND, we are looking for experienced Senior Officers to join our Tribunals, Resolutions and Compliance Team.Reporting to the Lead Officer, you will be responsible for leading and managing allocated SENDIST appeal cases, ensuring full compliance with statutory duties, tribunal regulations, and legal deadlines.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage allocated SENDIST tribunal cases.
• Ensure all legal deadlines are met and case preparation complies with Tribunal rules.
• Lead and attend Way Forward, Mediation, and pre-Tribunal meetings as required.
• Represent the Local Authority at SEND Tribunal Hearings when necessary.
• Provide professional advice, challenge and support to Headteachers, SENCOs, Governing Bodies, and Academy Trusts.
• Deliver training where required to ensure compliance with legislation such as the SEND Code of Practice and the Disability Discrimination Act.
• Work collaboratively with schools and partner agencies to meet statutory timescales.
• Maintain effective communication with statutory and voluntary sector partners.
• Attend multi-agency planning meetings and child protection case conferences as required.
• Remain up to date with changes in legislation, policies, procedures, and statutory guidance.
• Ensure relevant updates are communicated effectively to staff.
• Strong knowledge of SEND legislation and Tribunal processes.
• Proven experience managing SENDIST cases.
• Confident in representing a Local Authority at Tribunal hearings.
• Excellent communication, organisation, and stakeholder management skills.

About you

• Always learning, confident and skilled in SEND Casework with an excellent knowledge SENDIST Appeals, the SEND Code of Practice and relevant Legislation.
• Kind and caring, you are child and young people focused, with good written and verbal skills.
• Willing to take responsibility and problem solve, dealing with complex casework and liaising with families and key agencies to ensure best provision and outcomes for our children and young people.
• Driven to do it differently to embark on a journey of continuous improvement in SEND.
• Advocating for equality and integrity in all you do, you can establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with our families.
• Experienced in attending and effectively managing SENDIST Appeals.

Rewards and benefits

Competitive salary Annual leave starting at 30 days per year (plus bank holidays).A comprehensive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).Flexible working. Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support 24 x7.Range of family friendly policies.Childcare vouchers, cycle to work scheme, electric car scheme, range of staff discounts including travel, holidays, insurance, food, health & leisure activities. Excellent learning and development opportunities.

Our commitment to: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to: Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to: Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to: Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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Your office base may be subject to change as we are currently transitioning between temporary and permanent office locations due to the closure of County Hall. If this is applicable to you, you will be notified, but no reimbursement will apply in respect of travel.

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