Lived Experience Member of the NCS Advisory Board

This is a great chance to use your experience to help improve social work, social care and community health in Scotland.

As a member of the National Care Service (NCS) Advisory Board, you'll share your knowledge and insights to make care better for people.

You'll join a diverse group of board members. Together, you'll advise decision-makers on how to achieve better outcomes.

Your lived experience is vital. It will help shape care services that are fair, accountable and meet the needs of people across Scotland.

You can view an easy read guide on how to apply to be a board member  here.

The NCS Advisory Board gives advice to:

• Scottish ministers
• council leaders
• integration authorities
• health boards

The board's purpose is to:

• strengthen national support and oversight of social care, social work and community health services
• drive improvement in these services
• make sure people with experience of giving or receiving care help set priorities for improvement
• bring more transparency to the planning, funding and delivery of these services

You can find more information about the current interim National Care Service (NCS) Advisory Board on the Scottish Government website.

We're looking for people who can use their experience of health and social care to help make it better. This experience may come from work, volunteering, community activity, or your own lived experience.

As a member of the Advisory Board, you will:

• share your insights to help improve social care, social work and community health services
• work with other members to explore what needs to change and why
• take part in discussions that shape advice to Scottish ministers, council leaders, health boards and integration authorities
• attend meetings and help ensure the voices of people with lived experience are heard

You will not represent others with similar experiences. Your own insight is what matters. Together, the board will use everyone's insight to advise leaders on change.

You'll be expected to uphold the Principles of Public Life in Scotland. You can read more about these on the Standards Commission for Scotland website.

Person specification

The person specification includes 3 essential criteria.

Essential criteria

1.  Personal experience. This could be recent or current personal experience of one or more of the following:

   
   • A long-term health condition or disability
   
   • Directly providing care services as part of the paid workforce
   
   • Being an unpaid carer
   
   • Experience of care as a child or young person

2. Collaboration skills. This means you can work well with others.
3. Communication skills. This means you can express your ideas, listen actively and take part in discussions in a positive way.

We'll ask you to write a personal statement to tell us how you meet criteria 1 and 2. We'll ask you about your communication skills at interview.

How to apply
Before you start your application, please download the applicant information pack. 

When you're ready, select the 'Apply' link at the top of the advert. 
As part of the online application process, you'll need to upload evidence showing how you meet the following criteria:

Personal experience 
Upload a statement that details your personal experience of the health and social care system. It should:

• be a maximum of 500 words
• consider the 'Personal Experience' section in the applicant information pack

If you prefer, you can upload a short video clip instead. See the applicant information pack for more information on how to do this.

Collaborative experience 
Upload a statement that explains your collaborative skills and experience of working well with others. It should:

• Be a maximum of 500 words.
• Consider the 'Collaboration' section in the applicant information pack.

If you prefer, you can upload a short video or audio clip instead. See the applicant information pack for more information on how to do this.  
 

Remuneration and time commitment 
You can claim payment of £180 per day (7.5 hours or more) for time spent on board work. You should note that this payment could impact benefits you receive. Board members do not have to accept payment.

This fee is non-pensionable. Expenses will be reimbursed.

Completed applications must be submitted by 05 December :55).

Our commitment to you - equality statement
We want the board to include people with a wide range of experiences and perspectives. People from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

We know applying for roles can be challenging. If you need adjustments such as extra time, help with technology, or something else, tell us. We'll make sure the process is fair and accessible.

You can find out more about our commitment to diversity and the recruitment adjustments we offer to support anyone who needs them by reviewing the:

• application information pack
• Scottish Government website
   

If you have any issues with your application, contact the NCS Support Team at

Apply before 08 Dec :55)