Appeals Officer – Seasonal

Salary: £35,235 – £37,938 a year pro rata

Hours per week: 22.2

Contract type: Secondment/Fixed term from May – June 2025

We’re seeking a passionate and experienced individual to join our team and help us navigate the complexities of education-related complaints and appeals. In this role, you’ll play a key part in mediation and problem-solving within the education context, working with a diverse range of issues that require sensitivity. You’ll be responsible for managing complex complaints and presenting well-reasoned cases in a high-pressure environment. Your ability to stay calm, persuasive, and clear in communication will be essential, as you’ll be dealing with a variety of stakeholders, including parents who may be frustrated or upset.

A big part of the job will involve drafting clear, concise reports and letters that address complex issues and adhering to current legislation, particularly in the areas of admissions and appeals. You’ll also be expected to manage your time well, especially when workloads get heavy, ensuring all statutory timeframes are met efficiently. This role will also require you to travel across the borough when needed.

Please note this role does not attract sponsorship.

Interviews will take place on the 3rd and 4th March

About You

You are someone with demonstrable experience in mediation and resolving complex complaints, especially within an educational setting. Your excellent written communication skills mean you’re able to create well-argued reports and letters, even when dealing with complicated or sensitive issues. You have the ability to persuade and influence others, ensuring you can resolve conflicts effectively while maintaining sensitivity and respect for everyone involved. You have a good working knowledge of the relevant legislation and Codes of Practice, and have excellent communication skills, together with the ability to relate to a wide variety of people.

With a strong set of organisational and judgement skills, you can make decisions confidently. You’re comfortable working under pressure and have the capacity to adapt quickly to changing demands. Your ICT skills are top-notch, and you’re able to use technology to prepare appeals cases and update necessary databases with ease. Additionally, you have a solid understanding ability to understand the legal framework and decision-making processes relevant to school admissions and appeals, and equality in service delivery and employment.

If you’re passionate about making a positive impact in the education sector and have the right experience, we would love to hear from you!

About Us

Our ambitious Luton 2040 Vision – that no-one in Luton will have to live in poverty – is at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that our people are remarkable, talented, committed and passionate about serving our residents.

The people of Luton depend heavily on this council – and that means our workforce! Are you ready to realise the remarkable and help us deliver our vision?

Application Process

Because of the nature of this job, it will be necessary for the appropriate level of criminal record disclosure to be undertaken. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare all unspent cautions and convictions; and also any adult cautions (simple or conditional), and spent convictions that are not protected as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020). A person’s criminal record will not in itself prevent a person from being appointed to this post. Applicants will not be refused posts because of offences which are not relevant to, and do not place them at or make them a risk in, the role for which they are applying. However in the event of the employment being taken up, any failure to disclose such offence, as detailed above, will result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the Authority.

Benefits

We offer a range of excellent staff benefits which include:

• From 25 to 32 days’ annual leave: linked to length of service and grade
• Buying annual leave scheme: buy up to 20 days additional annual leave
• Career Pathways: step up in your career or move into a specialist area
• Pension scheme: with generous employer contributions of up to 20.2 per cent (at July 2023) and 3x salary death in service grant
• Generous relocation package: up to £8,000 (subject to eligibility)
• Employee Assistance Programme: a free, 24/7 confidential counselling and wellbeing support service available to all employees, their partner or spouse and dependent children over 16 still living at home
• Work/life balance: flexible working options including working from home where possible. We welcome requests for flexible working arrangements including part-time hours and alternative working patterns
• Training and support: unlimited access to development courses, mentoring and support and clear career pathways
• Staff offers: includes discounts on your MOT, gym and fitness, restaurants and salons
• Arriva Travel Club: great value savings on local bus travel

How To Apply

We understand that job applications take time and effort, but a high-quality application shows that you are professional with a good attention to detail. The recruiting manager may receive a number of applications for each job advertised so you want yours to stand out!

Our ‘How to apply’ page has more tips to help with your application: How to apply