INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS

SCOTTISH CARE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENTCONSULTANT

  • Context
  • Scottish Care Organisational Objectives
  • Workforce Matters Aim & Outcomes
  • Key Activities of National Workforce Development Consultant
  • Person Specification
  • Terms and Conditions of Appointment
  • Application and Selection Process

To apply for this appointment the information below should be read and an application form completed and returned by12noon onFriday3rd February 2017.Applicants will be advised if they have been invited to interview by Monday 13th February. Interviews will be held onTuesday 21st February in Glasgow.

Context

Scottish Care wishes to appoint a National Workforce DevelopmentConsultant for a fixed-term period to 31st March 2018. Employment will be by means of the Scottish Care Associate Consultancy scheme. Working from home is the preferred option.

Scottish Care is based in Ayr and is the representative body for the largest group of health and social care sector independent providers across Scotland delivering residential care, day care, care at home and housing support. Working on behalf of a range of providers, Scottish Care speaks with a single unified voice for members and the wider independent care sector, at both a local and strategic level.

In addition to the core work of Scottish Care, the organisation’s activities include leading on Scottish Government funded projects and in this context contracts a number of ‘leads’ and ‘associates’ to support a range of national initiatives including the integration of health and social care, self-directed support and the workforce development agenda. These projects include Workforce Matters, the workforce planning & development arm of the organisation.

Scottish Care Organisational Vision and Objectives

Our core strategy is to create the strongest possible alliance and collective voice to protect and promote the interests of all independent care sector providers in Scotland, and those who access independent sector care services.

Scottish Care is committed to supporting a quality orientated, independent sector that offers real choice and value for money. Our aim is to create an environment in which care providers can continue to deliver and develop the high quality care that communities require and deserve.

Our objectives are:

  • To develop a positive partnership with key stakeholders
  • To supportmembers in key areas of business and professional activity
  • To effectively lobby, negotiate and represent the sector
  • To ensure providers’ ability to develop and deliver quality care services

Workforce Matters Aim & Outcomes

Below are the aims and associated outcomes for Workforce Matters as agreed with the Scottish Government for 2016-2017. This will be updated and amended for 2017-18.

Aim

To work in collaboration with SSSC and other key partners, through sharing knowledge and practice, in order to build workforce capacity and leadership in independent sector social services providers.

To improve the impact of independent sector social service providers are able to make on the national workforce policy agenda, through acting as a voice of, and advocating for, their interests.

Outcomes:

1.Promoting workforce regulation, registration and rights

Employers are guided and supported to comply with regulatory & registration requirements and improvement processes

2.Building an integrated and innovative workforce

Employers are supported to embed innovative workforce practice in an integrated service environment

3.Progressing workforce leadership and capacity

Employers are guided and supported to access and engage with key workforce development capacity building initiatives

4.Support workforce recruitment and retention in the independent sector

Providers are guided and supported to manage their recruitment, retention & reward challenges

5.Engagement of and valuing the frontline social care

Key Activities of National Workforce Development Consultant

  1. Contribute to the creation and the implementation of the Scottish Care Workforce Work Plan
  2. Gather, interpret and present evidence on all relevant aspects of policy, legislation, regulation and good practice to inform providers, Scottish Government, regulators and others
  3. Design, undertake and analyse the outcomes of surveys and other exercises in order to elicit information and data relevant to the outcomes of the Work Plan
  4. Research and write information bulletins, briefing and position papers, web based content and other information relevant to the outcomes of the Work Plan
  5. Manage specific development tasks relating to the outcomes of the Work Plan, including consultation with providers, the workforce, people who use services, carers and others; promote the engagement of providers with the national and local agenda, as appropriate; ensure that the views and interests of providers are communicated to relevant bodies and organisations, including the Scottish Government, Scottish Social Services Council, Care Inspectorate, NES, IRISS and others
  6. To meet the outcomes of the Work Plan, encourage and facilitate providers to self-manage and develop their workforces
  7. Respond to enquiries from providers and others, giving information or referring to other sources as appropriate
  8. To meet the outcomes of the Work Plan, collaborate closely with organisations which legislate or regulate health and social services or which are delivering services within Scottish Care’s field ofoperation
  9. Organise, facilitate and manage meetings, events, conferences and learning & development events as required
  10. Attend meetings, conferences and other events on behalf of Scottish Care, and otherwise represent the organisation as requested by the Workforce Matters Lead and the Chief Executive of Scottish Care
  11. Work with the National Workforce Lead and the Chief Executive of Scottish Care to produce relevant agendas and papers
  12. Contribute to the monitoring, review and revision of the work.

Person Specification

It is important to note that to be considered for appointment all of the criteria for the role must be met. However, it is acknowledged that background and experience may have limited exposure to some of the context of this role and this will be taken into account during the process. Applicants should be able to demonstrate both within the application and at interview (if invited to attend), how their skills, knowledge, experience and personal qualities sufficiently match the criteria.

Criteria / Application / Interview
1 / Demonstrates excellent interpersonal and leadership skills /  / 
2 / Demonstrates delivering positive outcomes /  / 
3 / Demonstrates managing and influencing social and/or health care services /  / 
4 / Demonstrates managing and influencing workforce development in social and/or health care services /  / 
5 / Demonstrates an understanding of the implications for workforce development arising from the integration of health and social care and self-directed support; and the constraintsand barrierstochange /  / 
6 / Demonstrates an understandingofthe regulation of social services, including registration, qualifications and continuing professional development /  / 
7 / Demonstratestheskillstowritecomprehensivereports and good practice guidance.(We includetheapplicationasaproxy measureof reportwriting – additional information will be requested). /  / 
8 / Demonstrates experience in the use of social media and other models to enhance dissemination of work, communicate with partners, and raise project profile and awareness. /  / 
8 / Possesses an academic award and/or relevant vocational qualification at SCQF 9 (ordinary degree level) or SVQ 4 or above; and preferably have significant experienceas a manager and/or learning and development specialist in a social or health care setting /  / 

Terms and Conditions of Appointment

Length of Appointment

The appointment is offered until 31 March 2018 with the possibility of being extended depending on continuing grant funding for the project from the Scottish Government and performanceof the individual.

The successful candidate will be expected to take up appointment on or as near to1 April 2017.

Remuneration

The remuneration package is anticipated to be £200 per day, with a 3 day per week contract.

Expenses

Expenses actually and necessarily incurredin connection with official dutieswill be reimbursed.

Evaluation

There will be an initial two monthreview of performance by the CEO of Scottish Care. The post-holder will report directly to the National Workforce Development Lead, Katharine Ross.

Application and Selection Process

Application

Applicants must complete anApplication Form. Answers may be continued on separate sheets if necessary but the restriction on word count should be borne in mind.

Each application is assessed in the same way, against the same agreed criteria for the appointment in question. “Criteria” means the key skills, knowledge, experience and qualities that we think are required to be able to do the job.

The Skills, Knowledge & Experience sectionshould be used to address all of the criteria. Specific evidence should be used to support the statements made.

Please do not send us a Curriculum Vitae instead of a completed Application Form as it will not be considered. This is to ensure that all Application Forms can be assessed equally.

Selection Process

Those applicants who appear from the information provided to have the best skills and knowledge for the post will be invited to interview. Applicants selected for interview willbe required to make a presentation to the panel. This will be indicated at the time of calling for interview, which will be no later than Monday 13th February. Interviews will be held on Tuesday 21 February in Glasgow.

An offer of contract will be madefollowing a discussion with the Chief Executive of Scottish Care and the satisfactory completion of pre-appointment checks.

Submitting an Application

Please send a completed Application Form toCath Balmer, Office Manager, Scottish Care, 54a Holmston Road, Ayr KA7 3BE or preferably by email to no later than 12 noon on Friday 3 February 2017. Receipt will be acknowledged.

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