Service Manager - Disputes and Resolutions

• Full time, all year round position.
• Hybrid working model with a balance of home and office working.
• 33 days’ annual leave.
• Permanent contract.

We are dedicated to enhancing the lives of people in Somerset, and you will play a vital role in this mission. As Service Manager for Disputes and Resolution, you will oversee the effective management of accountability mechanisms related to the council’s responsibilities in children's education.

Your daily responsibilities will include:

• Advocating for the needs and interests of children, young people and families, so that educators and internal services are challenged to remain child-focused in conflict and high stakes situations.
• Overseeing all aspects of accountability including inspection, dispute resolution, tribunals, political (MP and councillor) casework and reviews by independent bodies.
• Collaborating with schools, parents, and other stakeholders to identify, address and resolve issues related to educational services and policies, particularly in relation to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
• Developing and implementing cross-cutting and long-term strategies to accelerate improvement and prevent conflict and disputes.
• Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of services in meeting statutory requirements and expectations of quality as set out in inspection frameworks.

This is more than just a role; it’s a chance to leave a lasting impact on the lives of children and families. We're here to support and empower you with training and guidance, but here's what will set you up for success:  

• A strong understanding of the SEND system, educational accountability, and relevant regulations and frameworks.  
• Skills in de-escalation and conflict resolution, turning challenges into opportunities.  
• Experience managing and handling disputes in educational or similar settings.  
• Knowledge of key education stakeholders and the dynamics of accountability systems.  
• Previous experience working in education or local government.  
• A relevant degree and professional development in dispute resolution.  

We’re proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring that we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve.

We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. You can always contact the hiring manager for a chat if there’s anything you want to talk about before you apply.

We are proud to offer an environment that is supportive and rewarding, working as part of a team who are passionate about the work they do to improve the lives of people in Somerset.

We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:

• We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.
• Generous annual leave allowance, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave.
• Staff discounts in gyms.
• Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
• Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
• A Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice to obtain a cycle for work and health screenings.
• My Staff Shop offering discounts in shops, online shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, insurance benefits and more.

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Fiona Turnbull..

E-mail: fiona.turnbull@somerset.gov.uk

If you have everything you need, just hit the apply button. We can’t wait to hear from you.

This post requires a criminal background check via the Disclosure procedure.