SEND Mediation Officer

We are working with a local authority seeking an experienced Senior SEND Resolutions Officer to join their SEND service on an interim basis. This is an excellent opportunity for a SEND professional with strong experience in mediation, dispute resolution and Tribunal processes to take on an active caseload and support positive outcomes for children, young people and their families.

The service is particularly interested in candidates with experience of mediations and SEND Tribunal hearings, who can quickly pick up complex cases and confidently manage sensitive situations.

As a Senior SEND Resolutions Officer, you will play a key role in helping families, professionals and the local authority reach positive, timely and lawful resolutions in complex SEND cases. Acting as the service's specialist lead for mediation, you will provide expert oversight of mediation processes and manage high-risk and sensitive cases where negotiation, communication and sound judgement are essential.

Working closely with families, education settings, health partners and legal teams, you will investigate issues, identify solutions and support all parties in reaching agreement wherever possible, often helping to avoid unnecessary escalation to Tribunal. You will provide advice and guidance across the wider service, support best practice, and contribute to continuous improvement within SEND dispute resolution.

• Manage a caseload of complex SEND resolution and mediation cases.
• Lead on mediation processes and support positive outcomes for children, young people and families.
• Work collaboratively with schools, health professionals, legal teams and other stakeholders.
• Provide expert advice on SEND legislation, statutory processes and dispute resolution.
• Support the management of high-risk, contentious and sensitive cases.
• Represent the service in meetings, mediations, Tribunal preparations and related proceedings where required.
• Identify trends, risks and areas for service improvement.
• Promote a collaborative and child-centred approach across all aspects of SEND casework.

• Significant knowledge of SEND legislation and statutory processes, including the Children and Families Act 2014, SEND Code of Practice and Equality Act 2010.
• Proven experience managing complex SEND casework, systems or processes within a local authority or similar environment.
• Strong negotiation, influencing and problem-solving skills.
• Experience managing high-risk or sensitive cases.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with families, professionals and senior stakeholders.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Demonstrable experience building effective relationships with families, schools, health partners and external agencies.
• Experience working within multi-disciplinary environments and supporting families through challenging or contentious situations.
• Good understanding of the political, legislative and operational context affecting SEND services.
• Experience of advocacy, mediation, SEND Tribunals or similar formal dispute resolution processes.

• Previous line management or supervisory experience.

If you are an experienced SEND professional with a strong background in mediation and Tribunal work and are available to start at short notice, we would be keen to hear from you.