Job Description

The Opportunity

Salary:

NJC Grade 8 32,597 to 35,412 per annum

Contract Type:

Permanent

Working Pattern:

37 hours per week, full time, Monday to Friday

Location:

County Hall, Chichester

Closing date:

TBC

Interview date:

10/12/2025





Do you have experience in the Special Educational Needs sector?



Have you got experience of completing Special Educational Needs casework?



Have you got the passion and skills to support children and families in West Sussex?



If so, this might be the role for you!



As Tribunal Officer within SENAT, your main responsibility is to support the Local Authority in delivering to the legal requirements associated with the Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Disability Tribunal processes.



You will prepare tribunal cases for SENDIST hearings, which will involve evidence gathering and the drafting of responses.



You will work alongside the Legal Team and Team Managers, providing effective support in case management of SEN appeals to ensure that the Local Authority discharges its statutory responsibilities effectively in relation to appeals to SENDIST.



Please note you will not be working directly with children.

Key responsibilities of the role include:

Analysing and maintaining complex data and information. Attending strategy meetings, note taking, and assisting in the preparation of cases under the direction of the Team Manager and Solicitors. Responding to appeals to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal. Working with schools, parents, appointed legal representatives, and other professional bodies, as well as managers, colleagues, partner organisations, and members of the public as required. Providing relevant and clear specialist advice and guidance to customers, and sharing your knowledge, skills, and experience with colleagues and partners. Confidentiality and security of manual and computerised information. Adhering to the Customer Data Code of Practice, SEND Code of Practice and Legislation, and the Children's and Families Act.

For more information on the Key Skills, Responsibilities, Qualifications and/or Experience required, please refer to the attached.


About You


To be successful in this role, you will need:


Communication and analytical skills to assist the children and families you will be working with. Negotiation skills to achieve the best outcomes and be able to build successful working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders. To be a problem solver, have resilience, and have organisational and time management skills to ensure we adhere to statutory timescales. Computer literacy and IT skills. Demonstratable evidence of working within the SEN sector and carrying out casework. Working knowledge of the Children and Families Act, SEND Code of Practice and be able to implement this through SEND reforms.

Please refer to the key skills (found in the job description) in your cover letter as these will be used for shortlisting criteria.

About Us


The Special Educational Needs Assessment Team (SENAT) manages the decisions and processes within statutory education, health, and care needs assessment process for learners with an education, health, and care plan (EHCP), the placement of children in learning settings and the allocation of resources to settings.



The team is currently recruiting to the role of Tribunal Officer to join them and support children and families in West Sussex.


Benefits


As an employer we recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance, and are rewarded for the work they do.



For a full list this can be found at our

Rewards and Benefits page.

Upon joining us you will have access to a range of benefits including the following:

Employer Pension Contribution:

18.70% (this alters per annum on the 1 April each year).

Annual leave:

27 days holiday + Bank Holidays = 35days



How to Apply


The reference number for this role is

CAFHE06056

.



For an informal conversation or for further information regarding the role, please contact Sam Hawes - Tribunal Manager at

sam.hawes@westsussex.gov.uk

To apply, please follow the links below to upload your CV and Cover Letter.



In your cover letter please outline your motivations for applying and explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role (please refer to the key skills) ensuring that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV. Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to the main advert on our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

This post is subject to three years referencing, and an occupational health check.

Equity, inclusion, and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success.



We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that have a disability, are a veteran or are a care leaver. More information can be found on our

application help

page.



LOCATION

Chichester area

CONTRACT TYPE

Permanent

JOB TYPE

Education & Skills

CLOSING DATE

30 November 2025