Role: SEND Team Manager (Tribunals, Complaints and Resolutions)
Salary: Grade L £51,928 - £55,224 a year
Location: Council House
Hours: 37 hours a week
Closing Date: 17/09/2026
The Opportunity
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our friendly and supportive SEND Team as part of Learning, Inclusion and skills service as an Tribunals, Complaints and Resolutions SEND Team Manager. We are excited to welcome a new manager as part of our expanding team.
We are looking for people who share our belief in every child accessing the right support, at the right time in Derby and our commitment to improving the lives of children and young people. You must have a passion to work in Tribunals, Complaints and Resolutions within the
SEND environment and have a vast range of experience within this remit, alongside the experience of managing and leading a team.
Please note applicants that choose to submit their CV, must ensure that they include a covering letter no more than 2 sides of A4 outlining how they meet the person specification and essential criteria outlined in this application. They must also include the declaration form. If the CV, covering letter and declaration form are not submitted together, then we will be unable to consider the application.
What you’ll be doing
You will lead and manage the Tribunals, Complaints and Resolutions
SEND Team alongside the other SEND Team Managers. This will include supervising, managing and developing team members in order to deliver the service efficiently and effectively. The main part of this role will be ensuring the leadership and management of complaints, tribunals, mediations, LGO’s and judicial reviews. In Derby we are really proud of our resolutions team. This team currently consists of two Tribunals and Resolutions Officers, One SEND Officer and an assigned Caseworker who is also specifically dedicated to this area.
The post holder will work along side two other SEND Team Manager who oversee primary, secondary, new assessments and annual reviews to ensure that all statutory duties are adhered to. This post will require the team manager to lead and manage officers across the service and may fall outside of the initial remit across the service.
About you
To be successful in this role, you’ll ideally have…
Experience in managing and leading a team of people within the LA SEND environment
Experience of leading, managing, preparing, resolving and responding to tribunals, mediations, LGO’s, judicial reviews and MP enquiries
Up to date knowledge and experience of applying the SEND Code or Practice 2014 and the Children and Families Act 2014, alongside any other SEND legal policy
Working alongside a range of professionals to ensure that decisions are balanced on the needs of the child, alongside the statutory guidelines and legal frameworks associated with this.
Confident use and application of systems to ensure robust and high quality communication and recording of decision making discussions and outcomes.
Who We Are
At Derby City Council, we're proud to deliver over 250 essential services that support our residents, communities and businesses. Guided by our vision to create anInclusive, Green, Growing and Vibrant City, we put people at the heart of everything we do.
Our values shape how we work every day. We believe in Great People, One Team, we're Bold in embracing change, Strong in delivering for our communities, and We Care about making a positive difference.
Join us and you'll be part of an ambitious, collaborative organisation where you can develop your career while helping to shape Derby's future.
Why join Derby City Council?
At Derby City Council, you'll have the opportunity to make a real difference while building a rewarding career in an organisation that values, supports and invests in its people.
Alongside the opportunity to help shape the future of Derby, you'll benefit from a comprehensive range of employee benefits, including:
Financial Benefits
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) – a secure, defined benefit pension with life cover
- Team Derby Rewards – discounts across a wide range of retail, leisure and lifestyle brands
- Tusker Car Benefit Scheme – a salary sacrifice scheme for leasing a brand-new, fully maintained and insured vehicle
Work-Life Balance
- Generous annual leave, starting at 27 days and rising to 32 days after five years' service (plus bank holidays, depending on your contract)
- The option to purchase additional annual leave
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements for many roles
- Flexible retirement options, where eligible
- Support for colleagues with caring responsibilities
Learning and Development
- Learning and development opportunities, with regular career conversations to support your growth
- Leadership and management development programmes, mentoring and professional qualifications
- Modern workspaces designed to support collaboration, productivity and wellbeing
Health and Wellbeing
- Employee Assistance Programme, wellbeing support and a year-round wellbeing calendar
- Free annual flu vaccinations
- Cycle2Work Scheme and free cycle training
Community and Inclusion
- Up to 15 hours of volunteering leave each year
- Recognition through initiatives including the Here for Derby Awards and Long Service Awards
- The opportunity to join one of our Employee Networks, including LGBTQ+, Disabled Employees and Carers, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Employees, and Neurodiversity
At Derby City Council, we believe our people are our greatest strength. Whatever stage you're at in your career, you'll be joining an inclusive organisation where you'll be supported to develop, feel valued and make a meaningful difference to the communities we serve.
Some benefits are dependent on your role, contract or length of service.
How to apply
If you would like to apply for this vacancy via an application form, please submit an application via the Derby City Council website.
The closing date for this vacancy is specified at the top of the advert. Applications received after midnight on the closing date will not be accepted.
Interview date: week commencing 21 September 2026
If you would prefer to apply using your CV, please complete the attached Declaration Form and send it to [email protected] .
Applications submitted by CV must include a completed Declaration Form to be accepted; this can be found at the bottom of the advert.
We also encourage you to complete the attached Equalities Form and return it to [email protected]. This is optional and will not affect your application.
Please note applicants that choose to submit their CV, must ensure that they include a covering letter no more than 2 sides of A4 outlining how they meet the person specification and essential criteria outlined in this application. They must also include the declaration form. If the CV, covering letter and declaration form are not submitted together, then we will be unable to consider the application.
Important Information
Links to the full Job Description and Person Specification are available below.
Before submitting your application, please read our guidance on filling in your application form and ensure your supporting statement clearly demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification.
All employees will normally be appointed to the minimum of the grade for the role.
The Council has a legal obligation to consider suitable redeployment opportunities for employees at risk of redundancy. Consequently, this vacancy may be withdrawn before the advertised closing date if it is filled through the Council's redeployment process.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At Derby City Council, we're committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and can thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we serve.
As a Disability Confident Leader, disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role can choose to apply through ourGuaranteed Interview Scheme.
We are also proud to hold the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award, recognising our commitment to supporting serving personnel, veterans and their families. Members of the Armed Forces community, veterans and their close family members who meet the essential criteria are also eligible for our Guaranteed Interview Scheme.
If you need any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, including during your application, interview or onboarding, we'll work with you to provide the support you need.
If you have any questions about this vacancy or need assistance with your application, please contact the Recruitment Team on 01332 640844 (Relay UK: 18001 01332 640844) or email [email protected].
