Appeals Presenting Officer

Job title: Appeals Presenting Officer
Salary: C3 £29,777.04 to £31,364.04
Hours: 37
Contract: Permanent
Location: Merrion House

Internal vacancy. Applications will only be considered from existing Leeds City Council employees.

As an Appeals Presenting Officer you'll thrive on working in a fast-paced environment, supporting schools in appeal hearings, whether representing the school in the hearing or advising on the process. You'll be self-motivated, team player who possesses good communication skills to build and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of people and bodies.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions .

About you

As an Appeals Presenting Officer, you will bring to the role:

• Ability to plan their own work, work with competing demands and respond quickly within tight deadlines.
• Good organisational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to mediate and negotiate in difficult circumstances.
• Ability to communicate highly effectively with children and families, with colleagues, and with partners, using a range of methods including written statements that provide clear, concise information.
• Ability to manage effective change.

About the role

As our next Appeals Presenting Officer you'll take responsibility for representing schools during admission appeal hearings, presenting the statement of case outlining to the independent panel the school's reasons for refusing admission to the child. You will work with the schools to offer expert advice and support on admissions and appeals matters as part of the traded offer to all schools and academies in Leeds.

The role is integral to our Appeals team who are an efficient and effective service dealing with all aspects of the appeal process from receipt of appeals, administration, training of panel members, training of school presenting officer and provision and training of the appeal clerks.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Michelle Adam, FIS and Appeals Manager. Call or email

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023. We are also an age-friendly employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Purpose:

The Local Authority supports all schools to ensure that the duty to offer parents the right of appeal against admission refusals is fulfilled.

This is an efficient and effective service dealing with all aspects of the appeal process from receipt of appeals, administration, training of panel members, training of school presenting officer and provision and training of the appeal clerks.

The post holder will take responsibility for representing schools during admission appeal hearings, presenting the statement of case outlining to the independent panel the school's reasons for refusing admission to the child. You will work with the schools to offer expert advice and support on admissions and appeals matters as part of the traded offer to all schools and academies in Leeds.

Responsibilities for Grade:

• To present the school case to panel members and appellants at appeals hearings.
• To build and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals and bodies, including Headteachers, colleagues across the Council, parents and other members of the public.
• Preparing complex and sensitive school appeal statements of case using excellent communication skills.
• Keeping up to date with changes to legislation, ombudsman cases, case law, and to advise on training requirements providing an expert level of knowledge and understanding of school appeals.
• Ensuring statutory deadlines for appeals are met.
• Ensuring accurate records and data are kept up to date.
• To support the Senior Appeals Officer with:
  • the delivery of the school appeals service.
  • regular training of school presenting officers.
  • responses to complaints to the Local Government Ombudsman.
  • written responses to Members of Parliament, Elected Members of the Council and Solicitors regarding appeals as required.
• Liaising with colleagues and external agencies as appropriate.
• Maintaining and making effective use of statistics and data.
• To work collaboratively in the team providing supervision and training to other members of the team as required.
• To undertake other duties as may be required from time to time by the Admissions and Family Information Service Lead.

The job description includes a wide range of duties which are compatible with the grade of the post. The extent to which the full range of duties is undertaken will vary from time to time in accordance with the requirements of management for the organisation and allocation of work.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.

Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview or Certificate.

• Good organisational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to mediate and negotiate in difficult circumstances.
• Previous experience in presenting appeals or public speaking.
• Ability to communicate highly effectively with children and families, with colleagues, and with partners, using a range of methods including written statements that provide clear, concise information.
• Good communication skills in dealing with a wide range of people, e.g. parents, Councillors, Headteachers, independent panel members and colleagues.
• High level IT skills.
• Sensitivity in dealing with stressful and difficult situations.
• Confident manner in explaining the complexities of the admissions system
• Ability to plan their own work, work with competing demands and respond quickly within tight deadlines.
• Ability to contribute to a team approach within the Admission section.
• Ability to manage effective change.
• To manage a traded service, including raising invoices and ensuring payments are received.

Knowledge required

• A good knowledge and understanding of the legislation that underpins the admission process, for example the Education Act, Education and Inspections Act, Schools Admissions Code, Schools Appeals Code, statutory instruments.
• Keeping up to date with changes to legislation, ombudsman cases, case law, and to advise on training requirements providing an expert level of knowledge and understanding of school appeals.

Behavioural & Other Related Characteristics required

• Willing to abide by the Council's Equal Opportunities Policy in the duties of the post, and as an employee of the Council.
• Willing to take personal responsibility under and abide by the Council's Health and Safety Policy.
• Awareness of and an ability to respect the sensitive and confidential nature of the work.
• Conscientious and committed approach towards completing tasks. accurately and to deadlines to achieve the directorate's objectives.
• Commitment to own personal development and learning.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS: It is desirable that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.

• Previous experience in an admissions or education environment.
• Previous experience of managing projects.
• Experience of dealing with the Local Government Ombudsman.