Adoption Leadership BoardThe recruitment and selection of a Chair

Information pack for applicants

All applications must be returned by 5pm on Monday 1 February

Please quote reference ALB(Chair)2016 in the subject line on all applications

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Contents

About the Adoption Leadership BoardBackgroundBoard Members

Page 3

Chair of the Adoption Leadership BoardRole DescriptionPerson SpecificationTerms of Appointment

Page 6

Selection ProcessTimetableHow to ApplyHow we will Handle your Application

Page 9

AnnexesAnnex A – Potential Conflicts of InterestAnnex B – Political Activity QuestionnaireAnnex C – Public Appointment Diversity Monitoring FormAnnex D – Guaranteed Interview Scheme Declaration

Page 13

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About the Adoption Leadership Board

Background

The Adoption Leadership Board (ALB) is a national board that has been jointly developed by Government, Local Authorities, and the voluntary sector.  Its remit is to drive significant improvements in the performance of the adoption system in England. It has a particular focus on supporting and challenging the adoption system to maximise the likelihood that:

children for whom adoption is the best way to achieving permanence get adoption decisions and are adopted without unnecessary delay;

there are enough prospective adopters who can meet the needs of all the children approved to be adopted; and

adoptions do not breakdown, through the right adoption support being readily available to all people who need it.

The Board is collectively accountable to the Secretary of State for Education and is required to provide regular updates to Ministers, including through a formal annual report. Board members work together to ensure that the Board achieves its overall aim of driving significant improvements in performance.

The Board has a number of sub-groups to drive forward key aspects of its work. Sub-groups are chaired by Board members and are required to report directly to the Board.

The Board interacts with individual adoption agencies from both the local authority and voluntary sectors, including through membership organisations such as ADCS1 and CVAA2. Underneath the National ALB, there is a network of Regional Adoption Boards, which drive improvement locally. The collection, analysis and dissemination of performance data is central to this interaction, and as such the ALB oversees a national quarterly adoption data collection.

The Board’s Chair will be supported by a Board Manager and will receive administrative support. The Board will receive analytical input and expertise from the Department.

The Board will typically meet on a quarterly basis but may meet more frequently if required. Sir Martin Narey is the current chair, and will be standing down in March 2016. The first meeting with the new chair will take place in April.

1 Association of Directors of Children’s Services2 Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies

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Board MembersBoard members are senior officials from key organisations in the adoption system in England. They have been appointed to represent their sector or constituency and to take responsibility for galvanising performance improvements within their respective areas.

The list of current Board members is shown below and will be kept under review. Where appropriate, the Board will engage with other key stakeholders from the adoption and wider children services sector.

Organisation Position Name

Chair Sir Martin Narey

Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS)

President Alison O’Sullivan

ADCS Chair of Health, Care and Additional Needs Policy Committee

Andrew Christie

Adoption UK Chief Executive Hugh Thornbery

Coram BAAF Chief Executive John Simmonds

Consortium of Adoption Support Agencies

Chair Peter Sandiford

Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies (CVAA)

Chief Executive Officer Annie Crombie

Department for Education Director, of Special Needs, Children in Care, and Adoption

Ann Gross

Department for Education Chief Social Worker for Children and Families

Isabelle Trowler

Department of Health Director for Children, Families & Social Inclusion

Flora Goldhill CBE

First4Adoption3 Representative Carol Homden

LGA Lib Dem lead for children and young people, Gloucestershire County Council

Cllr. Coleman

Society Of Local Authority Chief Executives

Representative Kim Bromley-Derry

3 First4Adoption is a service delivered through a contract between DfE and the Coram Children's Legal Centre, part of the Coram Group of which Carol Homden is the Chief Executive.

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Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS)

Chief Executive Anthony Douglas

Judicial Observer Mr Justice Newton

University of Bristol – Hadley Centre for Adoption and Foster Care Studies

Professor of Child and Family Social Work

Professor Julie Selwyn

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Chair of the Adoption Leadership Board

Role Description

Proactively shaping and driving forward the strategic agenda of the Adoption Leadership Board (ALB) by:

o Ensuring that the ALB operates as an effective and efficient mechanism for reforming the adoption system in England, liaising with other Children’s Services leaders as appropriate.

o Providing critical challenge to adoption sector leaders to ensure a high performing and efficient adoption system.

o Ensuring the ALB delivers its aims and objectives, including through swift, corrective action where necessary.

Acting as figurehead for the ALB and a champion for adoption, representing it to a range of stakeholders including the media; and ensuring transparent communications to the public.

Providing strong leadership to the ALB including through effective Chairing of meetings.

Reporting to the Secretary of State for Education at agreed intervals on the ALB’s progress and latest trends and issues facing the adoption system, and advising on any changes needed to its focus.

Person Specification

In your supporting statement you should provide examples of evidence that you meet the appointment criteria listed below. For those invited for interview, your responses will be further developed and discussed.

Track record in influencing and gaining commitment from senior players in a complex political environment, with the credibility and standing to command respect in a high profile public service.

Experience of driving action and delivering performance improvement in a system, including through the use of data and evidence.

Ability to provide strategic leadership at national level.

Ability to act as a public figurehead and advocate, with proven ability to convey complex and sensitive messages simply and to a range of audiences including media.

Strong Chairing skills and proven ability to build consensus in a challenging environment and effectively manage conflict resolution.

Knowledge of the care and adoption system in England and an understanding of those people affected by the system.

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Terms of Appointment

General The appointment of the Adoption Leadership Board Chair is made by the Secretary of State in accordance with the Office of The Commissioner for Public Appointments Code of Practice.

There is no employment relationship with the Department for Education or with the Adoption Leadership Board

Termination of AppointmentThe Secretary of State has the power to appoint the Chair and to terminate the appointment.

Time commitmentTime commitment may vary depending on the work programme and will be up to 40 days a year, including preparation time for meetings. This will include but be not exclusive to:

full attendance at ALB meetings (held in London at approximately quarterly intervals).

attendance at meetings with senior managers in DfE and other organisations to promote, raise awareness and gain commitment to the work of the ALB.

RemunerationA daily fee allowance of £400-600 per whole day (£200-300 per half day) excluding VAT will be paid monthly for time spent on ALB business. Any time spent in preparation and/or travelling is included in this fee. Reasonable travel (second class is encouraged) and subsistence expenses will be reimbursed. In addition, some funding will be available for procurement of administrative support to the Chair, to be agreed with the Department for Education on appointment.

PensionsThis appointment is non-pensionable

DurationThe successful candidate will be appointed initially for a period of two years. The Department reserves the right to extend the appointment by a further year at its discretion and subject to a satisfactory review.

AppraisalThe Chair’s appointment will be appraised by a nominated Department for Education representative.

LocationAdoption Leadership Board meetings will be held in central London. Occasional travel to other locations may be required.

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Diversity and equality of opportunityThe Department for Education is committed to the principle of public appointments on merit with openness and transparency of process and to providing equal opportunities for all.

Registration of interests Applicants should note the requirement to declare any conflict of interest that may arise in the course of ALB business and the need to declare any relevant business interest, positions of authority or other connections with organisations relevant to the business of the ALB.

Political activityThe ALB Chair will need to show political impartiality and will be required to declare any party political activity undertaken in the period of their appointment.

Subject to the foregoing, the Chair is free to engage in political activities, provided that they are conscious of their general responsibilities and standards in public life and exercise proper discretion.

The Seven Principles of Public LifeThe Chair will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to, and an understanding of, the value and importance of the principles of public service. The seven principles governing conduct in public life are:

Selflessness Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other benefits for themselves, their family or their friends.

Integrity Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties.

Objectivity In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.

Accountability Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.

Openness Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands it.

Honesty Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.

Leadership Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

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Selection Process

Timetable

This timetable is provisional and may be subject to change, but will be adhered to by the Department as far as reasonably possible.

Advert published w/c 4 JanApplication closing date 5pm Monday 1 FebShortlisting Tuesday 2 Feb – Monday 8 FebInterviews held w/c 15 FebApplicants notified of results w/c 22 FebAppointment start date 1 April

How to Apply

To apply for this post, please submit:

an up to date copy of your CV; and a supporting statement (two sides of A4 maximum) that addresses the

criteria set out in the person specification, using examples to demonstrate how you meet the requirements.

Please also:

provide your home, work, mobile and e-mail contact details;

provide the names, positions, organisations and contact details for two referees, one of whom should be your current or most recent employer. If you do not wish us to approach your referees without your prior permission, please state this clearly; and

return the

o Conflict of Interest form at Annex A;

o Political Activity Questionnaire at Annex B;

o Public Appointment Diversity Monitoring form at Annex C; and

o (if relevant) Guaranteed Interview Scheme Declaration at Annex D.

Your application and all accompanying documentation must be sent to adoption.reform@education.gsi.gov.uk to arrive by 5pm on Monday 1 February. Please quote reference ALB(Chair)2016 in the subject line on all applications.Your application must be submitted in a format that is compatible with Word 2010/PDF Adobe XI. Please use Arial font 12 in all communications.

Your proposal must arrive by the deadline. Late applications will not be considered.

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Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an email to confirm that you have applied.

How we will handle your Application

Shortlisting

A shortlisting panel comprising DfE officials will determine which applications best meet the appointment criteria listed under the person specification. The successful shortlisted candidates will then be invited for interview.

It is important that your application provides relevant information/evidence. Your application will be assessed on the strength of the information you provide to demonstrate how you meet the appointment criteria.

References may be taken up if candidates are selected for interview. Please ensure that your referees have given their consent for their names to be used.

You will be notified by email in the week commencing 22 February to let you know whether or not you have been shortlisted.

Interviewing

The interview panel will comprise DfE and external senior leaders. Interviews are likely to be held in the week commencing 15 February and will take place at the Department for Education, Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith Street, Westminster, London, SW1P 3BT. Interviews will last approximately 45 minutes.

Candidates will be able to claim for reasonable expenses incurred travelling to and from the interview. Claim forms will be provided with invitations to interview.

Interviews are competitive and the interview panel will present the best candidate(s) to Ministers, who will make the final decision.

Candidates will be notified by email of the outcome of their interview. We anticipate this will take place during the week commencing 22 February.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme for Disabled Applicants

The Department for Education is particularly keen to recruit disabled people who have the necessary skills. To encourage those applicants we operate a scheme under which disabled applicants, who have demonstrated the level of expertise required for the post, will be assured of an offer of an interview.

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The Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) works as follows:

Disabled applicants can choose to be considered under the Scheme. Their written application will be considered in the same way as other

applicants. Panel members will not be informed that the applicant has applied under the

GIS until after they have done their assessment. If the panel considers that, on paper, the GIS applicant has demonstrated the

minimum criteria required for the post, then they will be offered an interview.

If you consider yourself to have a disability as defined under the Equality Act 2010 and would like to apply under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme then please complete the Guaranteed Interview Request form at Annex D and submit it with your application.

Your personal information

Your personal information will be held in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.  You will not receive unsolicited paper or electronic mail as a result of sending us any personal information.  No personal information will be passed on to third parties for commercial purposes.

When we ask you for personal information, we will: only ask for what we need,  and not collect too much or irrelevant information; ensure you know why we need it; protect it and insofar as is possible, make sure nobody has access to it who

shouldn't; ensure you know what choice you have about giving us information; make sure we don't keep it longer than necessary; and only use your information for the purposes you have authorised.

We ask that you: give us accurate information; tell us as soon as possible of any changes; and tell us as soon as possible if you notice mistakes in the information we hold

about you.

The diversity monitoring information you provide is not used in the selection process and will not be seen by the shortlisting or interview panel.

Data protection

Information that you provide may be used for statistical analysis by the Department for Education but it will not be used in a way that enables you to be identified.

The Department for Education Data Protection Policy in relation to the information we collect is set out below: 

If you submit an application form, your form and any supporting

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documentation will be retained for up to two years after the closing date for applications

Any other information relating to an application held electronically, which includes your contact details and monitoring information you provided, will be held for up to two years after the closing date for applications.

If you wish your personal information to be removed from our records as soon as this recruitment exercise is complete, please email adoption.reform@education.gsi.gov.uk

For any queries about your application, please email adoption.reform@education.gsi.gov.uk

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Annex APotential Conflicts of Interest

Please provide details below of any business or other interests or any personal connections which, if you are appointed, could be misconstrued or cause embarrassment to the Department for Education.

Any particular conflicts of interest detailed here will not prevent you going forward to interview but may, if appropriate, be explored with you during your interview to establish how you would address the issue(s) should you be successful in your application.

Please tick box

Please confirm you have read and understood the sections in this pack regarding Standards in Public Life (page 7)

Response:

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Annex BPolitical Activity Questionnaire

All applicants for a public appointment should complete the questionnaire below. This question is asked as it enables the monitoring of political activity of candidates for a public appointment in so far as it is already in the public domain. Neither activity nor affiliation is a criterion for appointment (except where statute dictates specific representation).

Please indicate which of the following activities you have undertaken during the past five years by ticking the appropriate box and by providing details of your involvement. Name the party or body for which you have been active. If you have been or are an Independent or have sought or obtained office as a representative of a particular interest group, you should state this.

Please tick all relevant categories.

Obtained office as a Local Councillor, MP, MEP etc

Stood as a candidate for one of the above offices

Spoken on behalf of a party or candidate

Acted as a political agent

Held office such as Chair, Treasurer or Secretary of a local branch of a

party

Canvassed on behalf of a party or helped at election

Undertaken any political activity which you consider relevant

Made a recordable donation to a political party 4

None of the above activities apply

Name of Party of which activity undertaken: ………………………………………

Note: this form is for monitoring purposes only and will only be seen by the selection panel prior to interview. However, it is appreciated that such activities may have given you relevant skills, including experience gained from committee work, collective decision making, resolving conflict and public speaking. If, therefore, you have had such experience and you consider it relevant to your application for this post, you should include it separately in your supporting statement.

4 The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 requires the Electoral Commission to publish a register of recordable donations (donations from an individual totalling more than £5000 in any calendar year, or more than £1000 if made to a subsidiary accounting unit such as a constituency association, local branch, women’s or youth organisations). These provisions became effective from 16 February 2001.

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Annex CPublic Appointment Diversity Monitoring Form

All Government Departments aim to provide fair and equal access to public appointments and to ensure that all sectors of society are represented. You are asked to complete an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form. The questions set out in this form below help us to monitor the effectiveness of this policy by gaining a picture of all those applying for and obtaining appointments. They also help us to monitor how we are complying with equality law.

The Equality Act 2010 protects people from discrimination and promotes equality on the basis of a number of ‘protected characteristics’. We ask for information on your ‘protected characteristics’ in order to help us monitor our performance on equality.

We may also be asked to provide information – in summary form only that does not identify individuals in response to Parliamentary Questions and other public enquiries and reports on our equality performance.

In line with Government policy, and in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998, the information you provide will be held confidentially and can only be used if you give us your consent.

The form will be kept separate from your application and will not be seen by the shortlisting or interview panel. Assessment of your suitability for the post is made purely on the information you give on the application form and your performance at the interview, should you be invited. Appointments are made strictly on merit.

If you consider yourself to have a disability as defined under the Equality Act 2010 and would like to apply under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme then please complete the Guaranteed Interview Request form at Annex D and submit it with your application.

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DIVERSITY MONITORING FORM

GENDER:Male

Female

AGE:66+

56-65

46-55

36-45

35 & under

DISABILITY:The Disability Discrimination Act as incorporated in Equality Act 2010 defines a person as disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment which has substantial and long term (i.e. has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months) adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Adverse effects may arise from external barriers experienced by people with impairments.

When you answer the question, you should not take into account the effect of any medication or treatments used or adjustments made (for example at work or at home) which reduce the effects of impairments. Instead, you should think about the effect the impairment would have if these were not being used or made.

Taking this into account, do you consider yourself to be a disabled person?

Yes:

No:

ETHNIC ORIGIN:Which group do you identify with? Please tick one box. The options are listed alphabetically.

ASIAN OR ASIAN BRITISH

Bangladeshi

Indian

Pakistani

Any Other Asian background (specify if you wish)

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CHINESE OR OTHER ETHNIC GROUP

Chinese

Any Other (specify if you wish)

BLACK OR BLACK BRITISH

African

Caribbean

Any Other Black background (specify if you wish)

MIXED

Asian and White

Black African and White

Black Caribbean and White

Any other Mixed Ethnic Background (specify if you wish)

WHITE

Any Other White Background (specify if you wish)

ANY OTHER BACKGROUND

Any other ethnic background (specify below if you wish)

Prefer not to say

SEXUAL ORIENTATION - Do you consider yourself to be:Bisexual

Gay man

Gay woman

Heterosexual

Other (Please state below)

Prefer not to say

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RELIGION AND BELIEF - What is your religion?:

None

Christian (including Church of England, Catholic, Protestant and all other Christian denominations)

Buddhist

Hindu

Jewish

Muslim

Sikh

Other (Please state below)

Prefer not to say

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Annex DGuaranteed Interview Scheme Declaration

I consider myself to have a disability as defined under the Equality Act 2010, and I would like to apply under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme.

I do/do not require any special arrangements to be made for me to be able to attend the interview. (Please state any such reasonable adjustments below if applicable).

Name: __________________________________________

Date: ___________________________________________

Please return this completed form with your application.

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