The Family Mediation Council seeks to appoint independent members to its Family Mediation Standards Board (1 July 2018)
The Family Mediation Council (FMC) is dedicated to promoting best practice in family mediation and to ensuring the public can confidently access family mediation services which meet exacting professional and training standards, which were introduced in 2014. In 2015, the FMC established a committee responsible for implementing and overseeing these standards: the Family Mediation Standards Board (FMSB).
The FMSB has made considerable progress since its establishment, introducing a register of family mediators, approving foundation training courses, implementing an appeals system and working with the Ministry of Justice to ensure that only authorised family mediators can sign court forms.
The challenge which lies ahead is to strengthen regulation by implementing the remaining parts of the standards framework, providing guidance on developing it further as required and continuing to demonstrate the value of self-regulation to family mediators.
The FMC is now seeking to appoint two independent members to sit on the FMSB. Members will be at the forefront of the implementation and development of the new standards and self-regulatory framework of the FMC.
Independent members bring an important outside perspective to the FMSB. One of its two current independent members has a backgrounds working at the highest level in the NHS and the other is a business consultant with a background in IT and project management. The two new independent FMSB members will work alongside the two existing independent members and three mediator members to bring the total FMSB membership to 7.
We are particularly interested to hear from people who have different experience and backgrounds to those already on the FMSB, who may bring other perspectives.
The role is not remunerated although reasonable travel expenses to meetings on FMC related business will be reimbursed. It is anticipated that the work will involve a time commitment of two or three days per month. Subject to an initial review after six months, it is anticipated that the appointment will be for a period of three or four years, with the potential for re-appointment.
Role & Responsibilities
The FMSB is responsible strategically to the FMC for the operation of the professional standards and self-regulatory framework for family mediation in England and Wales. This is a non-statutory professional framework that mediators are nevertheless required to comply with if they wish to undertake publicly funded work or sign official documentation relating to mediation information and assessment meetings (MIAMs). More details about the standards framework can be found here.
The primary functions of the FMSB are to do the following, in accordance with the professional standards and self-regulation framework:
- Maintain, keep under review and develop the professional standards for family mediation.
- Maintain a publicly accessible register of trained and qualified family mediators, and of Professional Practice Consultants
- Consider initial training courses for approval, consider any appeals relating to courses that are not approved, and monitor the ongoing quality of courses.
- Oversee the accreditation process that leads to qualified (FMCA) status.
- Consider and make decisions on complaints and disciplinary matters that have been escalated from FMC member organisations, and where necessary investigate potential shortcomings in member organisations’ procedures.
- Monitor any other member organisation functions that have a direct bearing on the quality of the professional standards and self-regulation framework.
- Maintain management information to enable the Board of the FMC to carry out its responsibilities effectively and to provide statistics relating to the professional standards and self-regulation framework.
- Keep under review the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the Board’s operations.
Members are supported in these functions by the FMC’s and FMSB’s Executive Officer and a provider of administration services.
A detailed role and person specification can be found here.
How to Apply
Closing date for applications: 11th August 2018
Interview dates: tbc
Applications should be sent by email to Helen Anthony, at executive@familymediationcouncil.org.uk and should include:
- A supporting statement no longer than two pages that explains:
- Why the role interests you
- How you meet the person specification and would fulfil the role description
- What specific strengths you would bring to the post.
- Your CV with education and professional qualifications, employment history and current or recent membership of any relevant boards or committees. Please include your daytime and evening telephone contact numbers and e-mail address, which will be used only to contact you. Please also include the names of two professional referees. Please note that referees will be approached only with your prior knowledge, and only following a successful application and interview.
- A completed equal opportunities monitoring form (available here). Please note that this is voluntary.
Interviews
Applicants with the most appropriate mix of qualifications and experience will be invited to participate in the selection process.
Appointments will be made subject to satisfactory references.
Further information
If you have any questions about the appointment or the process, please do not hesitate to contact Helen Anthony at executive@familymediationcouncil.org.uk
