Vacancy -- Independent Member - Supporting People National Advisory Board

Vacancy details

Supporting People National Advisory Board
Meetings held in Cardiff but there may be occasion when meetings are required elsewhere in Wales
Unpaid, but Members are entitled to travel and other reasonable expenses within reasonable limits
8
year

Function of body

The Supporting People Programme started in April 2003. It is a Government programme for funding, planning and monitoring housing related support services. The programme provides support to individuals and families who are at risk of losing their home to maintain their accommodation and regain their independence. People receiving services include:

• families fleeing domestic violence
• people dealing with mental or physical health problems or learning disabilities,
• young people
• people with alcohol or drug problems
• older people
• ex offenders

Supporting people services have a major impact on preventing homelessness across Wales by enabling people to live as independently as possible in the community whether in their own homes or in hostels, sheltered housing or other specialized supported housing.
The programme also provides complementary support for people who may also need personal or medical care and therefore plays a very important part in reducing the demands on other public services, including the NHS and Social Services.

The Supporting People programme plays a key role in, and is shaped by, relevant Welsh Government policies and strategies. Close links exist between the programme and the Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV) agenda. The programme links with the Welsh Government’s substance misuse strategy “Working together to Reduce Harm” and its supporting 2016-2018 delivery plan which aims to set out a clear national agenda for tackling and reducing the harms associated with substance misuse in Wales. Prevention is at the heart of the Welsh Government programme of change for Social Services. This programme will have vital links in achieving the preventative theme set out in the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 and the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

The Welsh Government established the Supporting People National Advisory Board in 2012 the aim and overall focus of the Board is to provide advice to the Cabinet Secretary to make sure that the Supporting People programme is focused on meeting the housing-related needs of vulnerable people in Wales

Role description

The independent Board member will

• contribute to the work of the Board by thorough preparation, making informed contributions and regular attendance;

• assist the Chair in securing consensus in the Board’s deliberations;

• meet high standards of probity and governance;

• assist in communicating the vision for Supporting People across the sector and to service users;

• be able to take the Chair position when necessary, chair meetings in a fair impartial way and meet with Welsh Government officials to discuss agenda’s and papers prior to meetings

• advise the Cabinet Secretary on policy, priorities, practices and strategic direction to achieve an effective, efficient and value-added delivery of outcome-based support services and projects to meet the supported housing needs of disadvantaged and vulnerable people.

• in developing advice and in the presentation of information, draw on the best available evidence and thinking on those matters relevant to the provision of services to meet the supported housing needs of the people for whom the Supporting People Programme in Wales is intended.

• provide constructive challenge and scrutiny of the Welsh Government’s policies and proposals.

• it is expected that members will commit as a minimum two days a quarter, with quarterly Board meetings.

The members will have a range of skills. In summary the candidate will have knowledge and/or expertise in the housing or associated sectors, strategic thinking, leadership and communications skills and the ability to foster collaboration and co-production. They will also possess a clear understanding and commitment to equality issues and challenging discriminatory practices when appropriate; and have a clear understanding and commitment to Nolan’s ‘Seven Principles of Public Life’.

Welsh language skills

The Welsh Government acknowledges the importance of developing and growing bilingual capabilities in public appointments in Wales, and welcomes applications from candidates who demonstrate their capability to work in both English and Welsh.  The following list of language requirements represents an objective assessment by the recruiting body of the Welsh language skills required to undertake the duties of this particular post.
Desirable
Can read some basic words and phrases with understanding
Can write basic messages on everyday topics
Can understand parts of a basic conversation
Can hold a basic conversation in Welsh

Person specification

Essential Criteria

To be considered, you must be able to demonstrate that you have the qualities, skills and experience to meet all of the essential criteria for appointment:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a personal and professional demeanour that generates trust and confidence in others.

• The ability to contribute to discussions at meetings and offer constructive challenge and scrutiny to the work of the Board and Welsh Government policies and proposals.

• A collaborative approach to the work of the Board.

• The ability to analyse and evaluate complex information to identify the main strengths and weaknesses of a case and draw sound conclusions.

• The ability to contribute to workable recommendations.

• Demonstrate high standards of corporate and personal conduct through a sound understanding of, and strong commitment to equal opportunities, public service values and the seven principles of Public Life;

Desirable Criteria:

In addition the independent member will have expertise in one of the following:

• Broad expertise in the housing sector or another sector relevant to the Supporting People programme as well as an understanding of the experience of people who use Supporting People services.

• Expertise in financial management or in programme governance.

• Business acumen and an ability to analyse progress towards outcomes and return on investment.

• Experience of working at Board level/holding a responsible position in a private, public or third sector organisation with the ability to look ahead and provide strategic leadership.

Interview dates

31 May 2017
31 May 2017

Closing date

06/04/2017, 23:55

Additional information

Appointments will be made on the basis of the CV and personal statements, though in exceptional circumstances the selection panel may decide that they wish to interview some candidates.  

For further information regarding the selection process, please contact:

The Corporate Shared Service Centre
Tel: 029 2082 5454
Email: sharedservicehelpdesk@wales.gsi.gov.uk

For further information regarding the role of the Supporting People National Advisory Board and the role of Member please contact the Homelessness and Supporting People branch, Housing Policy Division

Tel: 0300 062 8300/8258

Email:

Julie.woollard1@wales.gsi.gov.uk
Sheilah.gaughan@wales.gsi.gov.uk
Supportingpeople@wales.gsi.gov.uk

How to apply

To apply for this role, click on the ‘Apply’ button below. The first time you apply for a post, you will need to complete a registration form for the Welsh Government’s online application system.  You will only need to register once, and you will be able to keep yourself updated on the progress of your application, and any other applications you make, via your registered account.

Once you’ve registered, you’ll be able to access the application form.  To apply you will need to submit two supporting documents. The first, a document outlining how your knowledge, skills and experiences meet the criteria for the role as outlined in the information for candidates.  This document should be no more than 2 sides of A4.  Your application may be rejected if you exceed this limit.  The second document is a full, up to date CV.  The two documents should be uploaded to the ‘Reasons for applying’ section of the online application form.

In your application, you will also be asked to provide details of any activities which have helped you to develop skills that would be useful in a public appointment role, and list the organisations for which you undertook these activities.  We also need to know about any political activity that you’ve undertaken over the last 5 years. 

It is recommended that you register for an account and access the application form as soon as possible so that you see how the application form is structured, before starting to prepare your evidence.  You don’t have to complete the application form all in one go.  You can save your responses, and log in and out as required, until you’re ready to submit – just follow the guidance in the application form.

If you need any further assistance in applying for this role, please contact the Welsh Government’s Corporate Shared Service Centre Helpdesk on 029 2082 5454 or SharedServiceHelpdesk@wales.gsi.gov.uk 

For further information about Public Appointments in Wales, please visit www.gov.wales/publicappointments

This vacancy is closed to applications.