Berkshire West is a diverse area seeking to recruit an independent chair for its Safeguarding Adults Board

The chair will be accountable to three local authority areas (Reading, Wokingham and West Berkshire) – West of Berkshire Safeguarding Adults Board (WBSAB) and its statutory partners, promoting the work at a strategic level by influencing inter-agency development to ensure a prevention and protection safeguarding approach.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About the role

Click here for a short video from the local authorities and some of the partners involved with the Safeguarding Adults Board.

• You will have senior and exceptional leadership and expert knowledge of adult safeguarding and be a proven leader, skilled in collaboration, excellent communication skills and creating an environment where constructive challenge is welcomed to improve outcomes for the residents of our Boroughs.
• The Chair will ensure that the WBSAB operates effectively to deliver its key objectives and functions as set out in the Care Act (2014).
• As part of the development of the integrated system you will be able to negotiate these challenges, providing strategic oversight to ensue systems are working effectively and that the importance of safeguarding adults remains a priority.
• You will have experience of chairing multi-agency meetings and encourage strong engagement across the partnership and support the Board to develop a strategy to engage with people who have a lived experience of safeguarding.
• The successful candidate will have a background in either: health, academia, adult social care or law enforcement. You should be confident in seeking assurance and holding partner agencies to account, and able to provide oversight and direction in terms of how organisations can learn from local and national Safeguarding Adult Reviews.

The new Independent Chair will take part in a handover from the existing Independent Chair who is stepping down and will take part in shaping the Board’s new strategic plan in January 2022.

Further information

• The role will be for approximately 22 days a year.
• The specific commitment required will be agreed as part of the appointment process. Meetings will be held in person and online. You will have to travel to Reading for face to face meetings.
• The arrangement will be for an initial period of 2 years with an annually renewable contract subject to six months notice by either side.
• Please note that the Independent Chair will be paid on a consultancy basis. Duties and IR35 rules apply to this appointment. Payments will be made through payroll and tax and NI deductions will be made at source via PAYE in line with current HMRC guidelines.
• Download the Person Specification and Job Description and make an application.