Appeals Presentation Officer

About the role

Job Title: Appeals Presentation Officer
Starting Salary: £33,366 progressing to £36,124 pa pro rata
Hours: 37 per week, term time only
Location: Stevenage - hybrid working
Contract Type: Permanent
Directorate: Childrens Services

About the team

We are excited to announce an opportunity for a full-time Appeals Presentation Officer. This exciting role involves preparing and presenting the Local Authority’s and schools’ case to independent admission and transport appeal panels, working closely with schools and the wider team.

About the role

The Appeals Presentation Officer is responsible for presenting and defending the school’s case at independent panel hearings, clearly demonstrating why a place could not be offered.

To prepare for these hearings, the officer will collaborate with the school to draft a detailed statement and thoroughly investigate the admissions application process from start to finish. This involves liaising with schools, colleagues from the Admissions and Transport service, and other teams across the Local Authority to ensure all relevant admissions legislation is correctly applied.

At the Independent Appeal Panel hearing, the officer will formally represent the school/Local Authority, presenting the case comprehensively and answering detailed questions from panel members and parents regarding both the school and the individual appellant’s case.

Additionally, the Appeals Presentation Officer will present and defend the Local Authority’s decisions at Transport Appeal panels, explaining the rationale behind decisions not to offer home to school transport.

The officer will also support the Appeals Preparation Manager in preparing and updating school statements for use at Independent Appeal Panel hearings, including liaising with and visiting schools as needed.

About you

This role offers a dynamic and fast-paced environment where no two days are the same. You will need to be highly organised, proactive, and able to work under pressure.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, along with proven presentation abilities, are essential. You must maintain attention to detail and accuracy while managing a high volume of work and remain calm and diplomatic in sensitive situations.

Essential Criteria

• Proven experience in verbally presenting information to audiences and answering challenging questions which maybe posed.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to work systematically to tight deadlines.
• Ability to independently manage and prioritise workload.
• A flexible approach a be a strong team player.
• Experience in delivering high standards of customer service in a pressurized environment.
• Competence with IT packages, including word processing, email, and Microsoft Teams.
• Full UK Driving Licence and access to a vehicle. 

Desirable:

• Knowledge of policies and legislation related to school admissions, appeals, and home-school transport entitlement.

If you are self-driven, confident, and skilled at presenting information, this role is perfect for you. It offers a great opportunity to enhance your presentation skills and expand your knowledge of admissions, appeals, and transport legislation. You will also build relationships with schools across Hertfordshire and colleagues within the Local Authority.

This job role is within the Community Services, level COM9 job profile. Please locate this via:

Job profiles - Community services

To hear more about this opportunity please contact Greg Holmes (greg.holmes@hertfordshire.gov.uk) for an informal discussion about the role.

Interview Date: 7th May