SEND & Tribunal Officer


Company:	North Somerset Council
Salary:	£36,581 to £39,481 a year, pro rata
Hours:	Part-time
Location:	Weston-super-Mare, BS23 1UJ
Working pattern:	Hybrid - 3 days remote
Job type:	Temporary
Posting date:	21 Sept 2026
Closing date:	7 Oct 2026

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Summary

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced SEND Officer to join our SEND Team. The SEND Team is responsible for ensuring that the LA’s statutory duties towards individual children and young people with SEND are met.

In this role, you will; have a specific focus on supporting the Local Authority’s Tribunal appeals and mediations, to include consideration of appeals, gathering supporting evidence and developing responses on behalf of the Local Authority. You will be required to attend tribunal hearings and mediation meetings as the Local Authority representative.

You will also have responsibility for the delivery of Statutory processes including Education, Health and Care needs assessments, writing Education, Health and Care Plans, attendance and processing annual reviews, provide guidance to educational settings and CYP and their families around funding processes, some tribunals and all other activities associated with SEND legislation (Children and Families Act and Code of Practice), responsible for casework management decisions and recommendations to SEND panel. Deliver the requirements of the SEND Code of Practice, as part of the collaborative Education Partnership’s Service. Responsible for liaising with caseworkers around the assessment process.

Key Responsibilities:

To support the Local Authority’s tribunal processes including responding to appeals, liaising with witnesses and representing the LA at hearings and yo represent the LA at mediation meetings.

Assess the needs and provisions of children and young people and develop a framework for Education Health Care Plans to meet their needs, managing a complex caseload of service users.

To be the named officer for an allocated area or designated caseload (including out of authority schools) providing a professional, effective, responsive and supportive service to children/young people, parents, schools, early years settings, FE providers.

Be involved in direct service delivery including more complex cases and the development of service improvements within an integrated service plan.

Provide support and advice to identified groups or individuals as detailed within the Education Health Care plans and implement or commission planned interventions to address identified need within evaluated professional standards.

Take a role in developing a range of specific services related to SEND legislation with clearly identified outcomes associated with an overall service plan.

To support the tribunal and top up funding processes as directed.

To liaise collaboratively with SEND officers and caseworkers to improve service standards and achieve service delivery.

Work in partnership with service users and other agencies to develop and implement multi agency services and initiatives. Establish & maintain appropriate links between service users and other professionals to encourage a clear understanding of each other’s priorities and ways of working.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Michelle Sercombe, SEND Operational Lead Michelle.Sercombe@n-somerset.gov.uk

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