Senior Assessment and Review Officer - Tribunals

• Full time (37 hours per week), all year-round position
• Hybrid working model with a balance of home and office working
• 30 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays).
• Permanent contract.
• Grade 10, ranging from £37,280 to £41,771 per annum.

Join us on our mission to make a real difference in Somerset!

Are you passionate about ensuring children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the support they deserve? Join us in Somerset as a Senior Assessment and Review Officer, specialising in SEND tribunals and mediation.

As a Senior Assessment and Reviewing Officer in SEND, you'll take the lead in transforming lives across Somerset. Step into a role where your leadership will help to shape brighter futures for children and young people (CYP) with acute and complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

You’ll champion inclusive practices, guide strategic thinking, and contribute to service development—ensuring that every child receives the support they need to thrive.

Your work will be central to fostering engagement, removing barriers, and unlocking the full potential of every child.

Here’s what your role will involve:

• Lead on SEND Tribunals and Mediation: Act as a key point of contact for SEND tribunal appeals and mediation cases, ensuring robust preparation and representing the LA in tribunal hearings in line with statutory requirements.
• Champion Positive Outcomes: Work closely with families, schools, and partner agencies to resolve disputes, striving for collaborative solutions that put the child or young person at the centre.
• Collaborate for Impact: Work as part of a dynamic multi-agency team to deliver services that improve lives.
• Drive Excellence: Identify learning and contribute to continuous improvement across the SEND service.
• Facilitate Strategic Partnerships: Chair multi-agency meetings, attend mediation sessions and work with legal representatives, health and social care partners to achieve the best possible outcomes.
• Shape Policy and Practice: Apply your deep understanding of the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice to guide decision-making and strategy.

We are seeking motivated, skilled professionals with diverse backgrounds who are ready to make a difference. Whether you come from education, social care, or healthcare, your expertise will be invaluable.

You’ll have access to ongoing training, support, and guidance to grow and excel in your role. However, you’ll truly thrive if you bring:  

• Direct experience of SEND tribunals, mediation or dispute resolution.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to manage sensitive and complex situations.
• A positive, solution-focused mindset and a thorough understanding of SEND legislation and processes.
• Experience in education leadership, SENCO, teaching, pastoral care, social care, family support or healthcare.
• Possess strong communication skills, with the ability to adapt when engaging with a wide range of stakeholders.

• Hold a degree qualification or equivalent relevant qualification and bring leadership experience.
• Are an independent problem-solver, taking ownership of complex situations with confidence and accountability at a multi-agency level.
• Have a positive mindset, eager to grasp and apply complex policy and processes effectively.

• Hands-on experience working with children and young people with SEND and a solid understanding of the SEND Code of Practice.  
• Are comfortable using Microsoft Office packages including Word, Excel, Teams and Outlook.

We’re proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring that we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve.

We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. You can always contact the hiring manager for a chat if there’s anything you want to talk about before you apply.

We are proud to offer an environment that is supportive and rewarding, working as part of a team who are passionate about the work they do to improve the lives of people in Somerset.

We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:

•    We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.
•    Generous annual leave allowance, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave
•    Staff discounts in gyms.
•    Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
•    Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
•    A Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice to obtain a cycle for work and health screenings.
•    My Staff Shop offering discounts in shops, online shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, insurance benefits and more

The Salary for the Senior Assessment and Review Officer is Grade 10, ranging from £37,280 to £41,771 per annum.

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Katie Knight, Service Manager – Disputes and Resolutions at katie.knight@somerset.gov.uk

Interviews will take place the week beginning the 15^th December.

If you have everything you need, just hit the apply button. We can’t wait to hear from you.

This job requires a criminal background check (DBS) via the basic disclosure procedure.