School Admission Appeals Panel Member - Volunteer

If you have some spare time and want to make a difference to the lives of children and families in Sandwell, could you consider giving some of your time to hearing School Admission Appeals?

Sandwell's School Appeals service is looking for new volunteers from a diverse range of backgrounds and experience to join its Independent School Admission Appeals Panel. Volunteers are needed to help decide on appeals by parents / carers whose child did not get a place at their preferred school.

Each panel consists of 3 panel members who considers the reasons for the parent / carers' choice of school, as well as the reasons why a place hasn't been allocated, and then decide whether to upheld or reject the appeal. At appeal hearings you will be supported by an appeals clerk who will provide guidance on procedure and admissions law. We need people with a good mix of skills and backgrounds who can bring different viewpoints and experience.

This voluntary role can be done in the comfort of your own home as appeals are heard virtually using Microsoft Teams and you can choose how often you volunteer to sit on the panel. No previous experience or knowledge is needed as you will receive training and you will receive regular updates.

You cannot be a panel member if you:

• Are a current employee or elected member of Sandwell MBC


• Are a former employee or elected member of Sandwell MBC


• Are an employee of a school or academy trust; other than as a teacher or teaching assistant
  
  Good listeners


• Decisive


• Empathetic


• Courteous


• Reliable


• Able to effectively communicate with others


• Good at working with others


• Willing to take advice
  
  Sandwell is situated at the very heart of the West Midlands, just a stone's throw from Birmingham. A large, diverse, metropolitan borough, Sandwell offers exciting opportunities for all in a friendly, supportive environment.
  
  Why work for us?


• Generous annual leave entitlements


• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme


• Access to an award-winning employee benefits scheme, which includes:


• An exclusive retail discounts portal


• Salary sacrifice schemes for cars, bikes, technology and car parking


• An employee assistance and counselling service


• Annual leave purchase scheme


• A wide variety of learning and development opportunities


• Flexi-time working


• A variety of leave schemes including carers, compassionate, maternity and paternity


• Volunteering scheme


Your career at Sandwell Council

We offer something for everyone, with an incredibly wide range of career opportunities, at any stage of your career, from apprentices to senior managers.

Whether your focus is a support service, such as Finance, Human Resources, Legal or ICT, or a frontline service, such as Social Care, Planning & Regeneration, Housing or Leisure, it's worth looking at what Sandwell has to offer.

Our plans for the future

Our Vision 2030 shows just how committed we are to creating the best future possible for our communities and for the people who live and work in Sandwell.