The Scottish Government have set out the membership of the Integration Joint Board for Health and Social Care, which includes Third Sector representation. Locally it has been agreed this will comprise a representative (and substitute) from Falkirk’s Third Sector Interface and a representative (and substitute) from a local Third Sector organisation. Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership is now seeking to recruit Third Sector representatives.

Please see attached poster for additional guidelines. Health and Social Care Integration Third Sector Representative

To apply to become a representative you must currently be part of a Third Sector organisation that delivers health and / or social care services in the Falkirk Council area.

It is critical that the representatives can represent the views of the Third Sector and take part in the Integration Joint Board on their behalf. However, it is not expected that the representatives will have knowledge or experience of all of the Board’s responsibilities before joining. Experience of a similar role, whilst helpful, is not essential as relevant training and support will be given to the representatives throughout their time on the Board.

The sort of knowledge and skills that may be helpful in this role include:

Ability to listen to and represent the views of all areas of the Third Sector (even if they are different from your own)
Knowledge and understanding of current issues relating to the Third Sector
Confidence to raise relevant points and questions about the content of reports
Ability to feedback relevant information to other Third Sector organisations
Good communication and interpersonal skills

The commitment required includes:

Participation in initial induction and training sessions, which will be held for all new representatives
Attending the Integration Joint Board as the Third Sector representative, initially monthly, with the possibility of becoming quarterly
Occasional attendance at local and/or national events or sub-group meetings
Willingness to learn about and understand the broad range of services for which the Integration Joint Board will have responsibility
Preparing for the meetings to ensure that you can contribute in a constructive and informed manner
Participation in the meetings – offering ideas, opinions and solutions which reflect the voice of the local Third Sector
Keeping abreast of local and national news and developments in relation to the Third Sector
Representing the work of the Integration Joint Board and reporting decisions to other Third Sector organisations

Benefits for the Third Sector Representative

Ensure that the voice of the local Third Sector is heard
The opportunity to provide local feedback to support the shape and nature of the services that are priority for people and are outcomes for them
Opportunities for personal development through training and networking

Process to Identify the Third Sector Representatives

Two representatives will be appointed to the Integration Joint Board – one main representative and one substitute. In order to recruit a representative and substitute:

Nominations from Third Sector representatives, who are currently part of a Third Sector organisation operating in Falkirk Council area, should be submitted to karen@cvsfalkirk.org.uk or to Karen Herbert at the address below, by no later than Friday 28^th August 2015.
Only one nomination will be accepted from each organisation.
Nominations should include a personal profile of no more than 400 words and state:
– why you are interested in becoming a representative
– what experience and skills you bring to the role

For employees a declaration that your Board or Management Committee has approved your nomination and you will be released as required (this does not have to be included within 400 word profile)
Anyone not meeting the above criteria will be eliminated from the ballot.
The profiles of shortlisted candidates will be published on CVS Falkirk & District website (www.cvsfalkirk.org.uk) and will also be available as paper copies by contacting karen@cvsfalkirk.org.uk or by phoning Karen Herbert on 01324 692000 from 14^th September 2015.
Third Sector organisations will have the opportunity to vote for their representatives on 30^th September between 11.00 and 12.00. Votes will be limited to one vote per organisation and the vote will only be open to Third Sector organisations who attend the ballot..
The lead representative will be the person who receives the highest number of votes, the substitute will be the person who receive the second highest number of votes.

Additional points to note:

Representatives will be appointed initially as members for a period of two years, however if the representative wishes to step down or becomes ineligible at any time then they will be supported to do so.

Board meetings and training and information sessions will generally be scheduled to take place within working hours i.e. 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. To help representatives fully participate, reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed to your organisation, if required.

All new representatives to the Integration Joint Board, whether lead or substitute, will be required to undergo a formal Induction. This will include background information about Health and Social Care Integration and an overview of all the services which the Integration Joint Board will become responsible for.

Further training will be made available to representatives, on an individual needs basis, if required.

Contact details:

Karen Herbert, Chief Executive Officer, CVS Falkirk, Unit 6, The Court Yard, Callendar Business Park, Callendar Road, Falkirk, FK1 1XR. Tel: 01324 692000 Email: karen@cvsfalkirk.org.uk

Suzanne Thomson, Programme Integration Manager (Falkirk Partnership), Denny Town House, 23 Glasgow Road, Denny, FK6 5DL. Tel: 01324 506400 Email: integration@falkirk.gov.uk