Interim SEND Tribunal Lead
Initial 3–6 month interim contract
North London Local Authority
£400 per day Inside IR35 (via umbrella)
Hybrid working (minimum 2 days p/week on site)
Baltimore Consulting are currently working with a North London Local Authority to appoint an Interim SEND Tribunal Lead. This is a key leadership role, working closely with the SEND Team Managers to ensure the delivery of a high-quality, legally compliant SEND service, while strengthening relationships with families, schools and partners.
Your role as the SEND Tribunal Lead:
- Provide strategic and operational leadership for SEND Tribunals, Mediation and Compliance within statutory and legal frameworks.
- Prepare to act as the nominated officer representing the Local Authority at SEND Judge-led Tribunal hearings, ensuring all directed timescales are met.
- Manage complex and high-risk cases, including those with potential legal or reputational implications, providing regular strategic reports to senior leadership.
- Lead on compliance matters including complaints, Members’ enquiries, Subject Access Requests, Ombudsman enquiries and Pre-Action Protocols.
- Provide analysis, monitoring and qualitative data relating to tribunals to inform service improvement and strategic planning.
- Communicate and negotiate with parents and legal representatives to resolve disputes and avoid tribunal hearings where possible.
- Instruct and liaise with solicitors and barristers acting on behalf of the Local Authority.
- Work collaboratively with schools and internal SEND colleagues, supporting capacity-building in complex meetings and cases.
Your experience as the SEND Tribunal Lead:
- Proven experience managing SEND Tribunals and representing a Local Authority at formal hearings.
- Comprehensive working knowledge of SEND legislation, including the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice 2015.
- Strong understanding of mediation, judicial review processes and the SEND Local Area Inspection Framework.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and quality-assure systems and processes.
- Confident communicator, able to advocate for the service in multi-agency and external forums.
- Strong relational approach when working with families, schools and partners.
- Must have an up-to-date Enhanced DBS or be willing to undergo one.
If you’re interested in discussing this opportunity in more detail or know someone who may be a good fit, please contact Lucy Connick on 0117 3137110 or apply today.
(We offer a referral scheme for successfully placed recommendations – feel free to get in touch!) Our clients are committed to building an inclusive workforce and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments will be fully supported during the recruitment and onboarding process.
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