Tribunal EHCco

Job description

Hampshire County Council are looking for an experience Tribunal EHCco for their team in Winchester.

• 3 month rolling contract with possible extension
• Full time hours
• Inside IR35
• Fully Remote
• 0-11 years & PFA

Day rate : £307 umbrella

The Tribunal Lead EHCCo will hold a caseload of SEND Tribunal appeals, managing each case from receipt of the appeal through to preparation for hearing.

This includes reviewing and compiling responses to appeals, coordinating evidence and professional advice, progressing negotiations, complying with Tribunal directions and deadlines, preparing case documentation, and instructing representatives for hearings.

The role requires previous SEND Tribunal experience, together with a good working knowledge of SEND legislation, the Tribunal process and associated operational processes.

The role does not require attendance at Tribunal hearings.

ESSENTIALS

Experience of working in similar role within an LA - 12 months minimum ideally longer to experience the whole cycle.

Must be competent to talk about their previous caseloads and experience as well as the statutory process, 250+ caseloads experience

Must have experience in tribunals and preparing packs etc.

Must have experience carrying out 20 week assessment work

Must have experience completing annual reviews

Experience with preparing tribunal packs

Purpose of the Role

The EHCCo is responsible for coordinating the statutory Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process for children and young people aged 0-25, ensuring that Hampshire County Council meets its legal duties under the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice.

The role focuses on timely, lawful and person‑centred casework, working in partnership with families, education settings and multi‑agency professionals.

What Hampshire County Council Expects of Agency EHCCos

This companion page sets out the professional expectations, behaviours and ways of working required of all agency Education, Health and Care Coordinators (EHCCos) working on behalf of Hampshire County Council.

1. Statutory Accountability

Agency EHCCos are expected to:

• Have strong working knowledge of SEND legislation and the Code of Practice.

• Treat statutory deadlines as non‑negotiable, particularly:

• 20‑week assessment timelines
• Annual review deadlines
• Tribunal directions and orders

• Escalate risks early, not at the point of deadline breach.
• Maintain accurate, up‑to‑date records on Hampshire systems at all times.

Meeting timescales is a core expectation, not an optional objective.

1. Quality of EHCPs

Hampshire expects agency EHCCos to produce EHCPs that are:

• Lawful and compliant with the SEND Code of Practice
• Clear, specific and outcome‑focused
• Defensible under scrutiny (complaints, mediation or tribunal)

Drafting must demonstrate:

• Clear distinction between needs, provision and outcomes
• Proportionate provision linked directly to assessed need
• Professional judgement grounded in evidence

1. Professional Judgement & Escalation

Agency EHCCos are expected to:

• Use professional judgement within their role scope.
• Escalate promptly where:

• A case is complex, high‑risk or contentious
• There is disagreement between agencies
• Legal, funding or placement matters exceed EHCCo authority

• Follow local escalation routes via the SNO or ATM and record decisions clearly.

Delaying escalation is viewed as a service risk.

1. Communication Standards

Hampshire expects communication that is:

• Consistent, proportionate and professional
• Clear about the Local Authority's role and legal duties
• Accurate and aligned with Hampshire policy and process

Agency EHCCos must:

• Act as the main point of contact for their allocated cases

• Communicate clearly, sensitively and professionally, including in difficult or high‑conflict situations.

• Manage correspondence in line with Hampshire County Council expectations, including boundaries around unreasonable contact where applicable.

1. Partnership Working

Agency EHCCos are expected to:

• Work constructively with:

• Parents and carers
• Children and young people
• Schools, colleges and SENCOs
• Health and Social Care partners

• Be supportive but professionally challenging where appropriate.
• Model a solution‑focused, child‑centred approach whilst maintaining legal clarity.

1. Caseload Management

Given the size (typically 250+) and complexity of EHCCo caseloads, Hampshire expects agency EHCCos to:

• Organise work around statutory priority rather than volume alone.
• Use tracking, diarising and task management tools consistently.
• Working under the supervision of a Special Needs Officer and attend supervision and casework oversight as required.
• Raise workload concerns early and constructively.

Sustained inability to manage statutory workload will be reviewed.

1. Professional Conduct & Accountability

Agency EHCCos are expected to:

• Work in line with Hampshire County Council values and policies
• Maintain confidentiality and data protection standards
• Act professionally in meetings, written communication and decision‑making
• Accept feedback and direction from Hampshire managers

Agency status does not alter expectations of conduct, quality or accountability.

1. Boundaries of the Role

Agency EHCCos must not:

• Make unilateral funding or placement decisions outside agreed processes
• Provide legal advice to families
• Commit the Local Authority to outcomes without authorisation
• Operate independently of Hampshire governance and escalation structures

Connect2Hampshire is a trading style of Hampshire & Kent Commercial Services LLP - A joint venture between Hampshire County Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2Hampshire is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.

Reference 225763979