Resolution & Reconciliation Officer

Job Title: Resolution & Reconciliation Officer
Starting Salary: £30,559 pa progressing to £33,366pa
Hours: 37.0
Location: Hemel Hempstead- Office Based
Contract Type: Fixed- Term/Secondment Opportunity Until 31/03/26
Directorate: Childrens Services

About the team

Things are changing in SEND for Hertfordshire County Council. We are making SEND everyone's business.

We have over 13,000 children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). This is an opportunity to join the Tribunal team to support in the resolution of appeals.

This role will provide senior business support and coordination for Hertfordshire's response to Tribunals, mediations, complaints. This includes maintaining up to date status information about appeals, as well as completing administrative and coordination work.

About the role

You'll work collaboratively with professionals across schools, settings, SEND service colleagues and partners to coordinate tribunal requests.

This includes communicating with first tier tribunals where appropriate, maintaining accurate oversight and records relating to appeals, and preparing and submitting documents and other materials to a clear brief using established formats and specialised software.

You will provide information and performance measures to be used by operational and strategic teams, which will be used by the service to manage current caseload, as well as to improve strategic delivery over time.

You'll be coordinating the administrative and practical side of appeal and resolution processes used by the local authority, including but not limited to arranging meetings (including invites, agendas and documentation for meeting attendees), managing notes/minutes during meetings and recording decisions and action points.

You'll also be responsible for inputting and maintaining accurate and comprehensive database records as required.

The role contributes to the development of policy, procedures, and provision for children with SEND, which includes maintaining an up-to-date knowledge relating to SEN casework, changes to national legislation and departmental policies, and supporting induction/training and support to all team members.

About the role

Essential:

• Significant experience in business support, administration, or a similar role, ideally within a public sector or educational setting.

• Educated to GCSE level or equivalent.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Competent administrative and IT skills.
• Exceptional organisational abilities to manage multiple tasks and priorities efficiently.
• Experience in coordinating meetings, managing schedules, and handling correspondence.
• Experience of working collaboratively within a team and with multi-agency partners.
• Ability to exchange varied information with a range of audiences.
• Strong problem-solving skills to address issues as they arise.

• High level of attention to detail to ensure accuracy in all tasks.
• Ability to perform analysis and interpretation of data.
  
  Desirable:
  • Understanding of the SEND Tribunal process and the specific requirements involved.
  • Experience of specialist software, including EHM

If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, and you possess the skills and experience required for this role, we would love to hear from you. Join our dedicated team and contribute to ensuring fair and effective SEND Tribunal processes. Apply now to be part of a supportive and dynamic environment where your expertise will be valued and your professional growth encouraged.

This job role is within the Health and Social Care Services, level HSC8 job profile. Please locate this via:

Job profiles - Health and social care

To hear more about this opportunity please contact vanessa.croxford@hertfordshire.gov.uk

for an informal discussion about the role.

Interview Date: 06.05.2025

Benefits of working for us

About the role

As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.

Secondment
This position is open to secondments. If you work for HCC or any other Local Authority and would like to be considered as a Secondment contract, please ensure you complete the Secondment Form as part of your application. If you do not, your application will be considered as a Fixed Term Contract only.

Additional information

Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

Safeguarding
This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

Driving required
You'll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.

English Fluency
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.