Senior Tribunal Officer

Role Responsibility

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Tribunal Officer to join Kent County Council's SEND Tribunals Team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in managing SEND appeals and representing the Local Authority in Tribunal proceedings. Working within a supportive and experienced team, you will manage a complex caseload, collaborate with families, schools and professionals, and contribute to achieving positive outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities across Kent. The role offers the opportunity to develop specialist knowledge of SEND legislation while making a meaningful difference to families and educational settings-focused approach.

Are you looking for an opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) while working at the forefront of SEND law and practice? Kent County Council is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Tribunal Officer to join our dynamic SEND Tribunals Team. This pivotal role involves leading on a complex caseload of SEND appeals, preparing high-quality legal and evidential submissions, representing the Local Authority at Tribunal hearings, mediations and resolution meetings, and working closely with families, schools, educational settings and partner agencies to achieve lawful, child-centred outcomes. The role requires exceptional organisational skills, sound judgement and the ability to confidently manage competing priorities within a fast-paced and demanding environment where statutory and judicial deadlines are critical. As a senior member of the team, you will also play an important part in supporting and developing colleagues through mentoring, coaching and sharing expertise, helping to drive service excellence across the wider Tribunal Team. We are looking for a resilient and solution-focused professional with a strong understanding of SEND legislation, excellent communication and negotiation skills, and the confidence to influence senior stakeholders while maintaining positive and constructive relationships. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives on challenge, enjoys advocacy and case management, and is committed to securing the best possible outcomes for children and young people across Kent.

In return, you'll join a supportive and experienced team with opportunities to develop specialist expertise in SEND law, contribute to service improvement, and play a key role in one of the largest and busiest SEND tribunal services in the country.

This post is subject to a Basic Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This post is considered by KCC to be a customer-facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English/Welsh sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the Job Description/Person Specification. 

Contact Details

To discuss this role in more detail, please contact Dan French, SEND Tribunal Manager via dan.french@kent.gov.uk

About the Company

Work that works for you and us - let's talk flexibility!

KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county's working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.

Please note - if you are interested, please apply soon as possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.