Croydon Mencap

Application Pack

Chief Executive OfficerOctober 2013

Introduction from the Chair

Appointment of Chief Executive Officer.Dear Candidate,

Thank you for your interest in the post of Chief Executive Officer for Croydon Mencap. Our current CEO, is retiring after 17 years with us, during which time she has led us with commitment and dedication, and so we are now recruiting a new CEO to take us forward into the next phase of our development.

We are an established and well respected charity in the London Borough of Croydon, being the major voluntary service provider of support, advice and services to people with learning disabilities, their families and carers in the borough. Currently, we are nearing completion of a merger with a local charity, a pre – school group, which offers specialist care for children with a range of special needs but is also open to mainstream children.

We are looking for a new Chief Executive who shares our commitment and passion to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities and who can enable our team of staff to deliver high quality and effective services.

This is an interesting and challenging time to take on the leadership of Croydon Mencap. There are challenges in this time of change with regard to funding and the delivery of social care, presenting opportunities for a leader who has vision and the confidence to explore new ways of funding to develop existing and new services in line with the needs of our clients and to enable Croydon Mencap be the voice of those with learning disabilities in Croydon.

The person appointed will have the support of a strong and enthusiastic Board and a team of dedicated, capable staff as he or she moves us forward.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Sue Wragg

Chair, Board of Directors

Introducing Croydon Mencap

Croydon Mencap represents the interests of people with learning disabilities, their families and carers within the London Borough of Croydon. We are a registered charity with our own Board of voluntary Trustees/Directors. The purpose of Croydon Mencap is to provide advice, information and support through a range of projects and services.

We are currently reviewing our strategy and objectives for the next five years. The new Chief Executive (CEO) will work with the Chair, Board of Directors and staff to complete this work as a key objective.

Governance

The Chief Executive reports to the Board which meets every 6 – 8 weeks. There are currently eight Board members, plus the Chair, who are all volunteers. The CEO works closely with the Board which has overall responsibility for the work of Croydon Mencap and provides updates, advice and guidance to the Board to support their input.

The Challenge

Croydon Mencap has been successful and is well respected, both by the Council and its users. It has good financial reserves and a dedicated team of staff. In common with other charities Croydon Mencap is being affected by the changes in the way services are purchased or procured and both the Board and the staff team are looking for a confident leader to help shape its future.

Welfare and Benefits Advice

Our service gives invaluable advice, support and help in applying for the benefits and has a high success rate in enabling clients to receive benefits to which they are entitled - from Disability Living Allowance (DLA ) to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Housing Benefit .

Leslie Park Centre has been running since August 2005 and was set up to support younger aged adults (18-35 years) with learning disabilities to access leisure activities in the community. We currently support up to 18 people each day, attending between one and four days per week, Leslie Park provides a number of different activities to suit individual needs. Currently that includes access to local activities by using our mini-bus or public transport including dance with a dance tutor, drama at a local Theatre, bowling, boccia, cycling, art and craft, games, keep fit, cookery skills, computer skills, pamper sessions,, tennis and music. There are visits to places of interest that are suggested by members and attendance at joint activities and community days with Sutton Mencap. Leslie Park also supports its members in developing their everyday living skills such as travel training and numeracy and literacy when a need is identified.

Treetops Children's CentreProvides excellent purpose built facilities and specialist equipment, including a garden for children with learning disabilities and autism between the ages of 6 and 12. Sessions are run in term time, after school Monday–Thursday and alternate Saturdays and in school holidays with daytime sessions, Monday–Friday .

Carers Assessment and Support Service (CASS) for Older CarersOffers support, help and advice to carers over 60 who are caring for someone with a learning disability – usually a son or daughter.Practical support is provided such as assisting carers with applying for benefits, advocating for the carer on various issues and liaising with GPs/hospitals over health issues. Emotional support is provided by ‘being there’ for the carer and listening to their concerns. Carers can visit us at our office or, if they prefer, we can go to their home. Respite opportunities are offered on a monthly basis in the form of outings, and these give carers a much needed break. In addition to these day trips, we also hold information sessions on issues of concern for carers, for example on health care issues and Self Directed Support.

Carers’ Assessments for carers aged 60 plus. As well as our support service, we are also commissioned by Croydon Council to carry out Carers’ Assessments for carers aged 60 and over who look after someone with a learning disability.

Carers Welfare OfficerThis is the most recent service to be established and offers support to carers up to the age of 60. It provides 1-1 support and social events to help support parents and family carers and give them a break. The service is aimed at helping carers find the right services and support. Issues can include difficulties at school or college, housing problems, parenting and disability related issues, health and social care provision, adaptations and transport difficulties. Home visits are made by appointment or clients can visit the main office. In addition coffee and lunch time get-togethers are being planned and in the future outings will be arranged.

Family Navigator Service

This project is part of Croydon Family Power helping families with young children who live in Croydon. One or more of the children must have a Learning Difficulty, and the children must be aged under ten years. The Family Navigator service can help families navigate the maze of local services and supports families in getting the help they need , providing free one to one home visits and short term support for parents who are facing problems. There is a free bi-monthly Parents support group, and weekly Parenting Classes for parents of children with special needs.

Charity Shop

Situated in Addiscombe, the shop helps raise funds for Croydon Mencap and also provides employment opportunities for young adults with a learning disability; we currently have 5 trainees working there. As well as paid staff , volunteers help keep the shop running smoothly.

Clubs

Monday Club A very popular social club , with around 120 members, for adults of all ages with a learning disability, providing leisure activities such as snooker, darts, sewing, tabletop activities, music and special events such as discos and barn dances. The Monday Club meets every Monday evening except for Bank holidays and the summer break.

DiscosThe Croydon Mencap Discos are run approximately once every 2 months, and attract about 80 people with learning disabilities, plus their carers.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------For more information visit our website where you will find copies of our recent newsletters.

www.croydonmencap.org.uk

or ring Vanessa, our current Chief Executive,on 020 8684 5890

Job Description Croydon Mencap Chief Executive Officer

Job Title: Chief Executive

Accountable to: The Board of Trustees

Hours: 37.5 hours per week – some unsociable hours and emergency contact

Salary: circa £40,000 per annum + pension

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

The Chief Executive role is to provide hands-on LEADERSHIP of the organisation by developing, facilitating and coordinating the work of Croydon Mencap in supporting and providing services for people with learning disabilities, their carers and families in Croydon.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE JOB:

MANAGEMENT To provide proper and effective leadership, professional development, training and management of Croydon Mencap’s staff, including direct line management of managers of services and projects through regular supervision meetings, annual job review and day to day support as necessary.To manage the finances, assets and resources, whilst also being responsible for the development of systems, structures, best practice, quality accreditation and policies to ensure the effective operation of Croydon Mencap. This includes responsibility for hiring, appraisal and all other aspects of HR for the team and property management.

STRATEGIC PLANNING To work closely with the Chair and the Board to develop a long term strategy to ensure the achievement of Croydon Mencap’s objectives. To manage and oversee the implementation of Croydon Mencap’s strategic plans.

SERVICES To lead and oversee the delivery and development of Croydon Mencap’s services, activities and administration.

FUNDING To work with the Board of Trustees to ensure that the organisation has sufficient funds for its continued and effective operation and development.To identify, negotiate and secure contracts, grants and/or other income generation opportunities, so as to ensure the sustainability and success of Croydon Mencap.

REPRESENTATION To represent Croydon Mencap at local and national levels, with council groups, health authorities, commissioners, partners, funders, government agencies, charities, donors, the media, the general public and others.

COMPLIANCE To ensure that Croydon Mencap meets all relevant statutory, company, charity and regulatory obligations - including supporting the Board of Trustees and acting as the Company Secretary for Croydon Mencap.

CAMPAIGNING To campaign for the best possible services for people with learning disabilities, their carers and families, independently, or in conjunction with National Mencap, or other charities, or other organisations. To raise awareness about the issues and needs of people with a learning disability and address inequalities.

PROMOTION To promote Croydon Mencap’s role and activities and maintain excellent proactive relationships with people and the organisations with which Croydon Mencap is involved. To communicate with members and other interested parties through the regular Newsletter and other means.

POLICY and LEGISLATION To keep the Board and staff updated with current policy and legislation affecting people with a learning disability and their family carers

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

Other general duties include from time to time any other work in support of the organisation, along with the following responsibilities:

To undertake any other duties required which are consistent with the post including those added or amended as Croydon Mencap’s circumstances change;

To cover for sick and holiday leave where necessary; To act as the ‘Out of Hours’ emergency contact for services operational at

those times. To submit regular management information reports which enable Trustees to

make appropriate and informed decisions to fulfil their statutory responsibilities

To administer and prepare staff wages for off-site processing To monitor annual leave and sickness and oversee CRB checks; To attend evening Board and Committee meetings and take minutes of these

and other sub-group meetings of the Board To attend local Mencap society meetings and National Mencap meetings To ensure that all service users have the opportunity to be fully involved in

service development and delivery, and that feedback is gathered, analysed and used effectively to further improve services

To deal with queries that fall outside the normal remit of other Croydon Mencap employees;

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

SERVICES: Responsible for all services - Current services include: Leslie Park day centre, Benefits and Welfare advice, Treetops children’s centre, Older Carers assessment and support, Charity Shop; Social Clubs and Discos, and Family Navigator. A Pre-school Group is expected to be taken over in the near future.

PROPERTIES: Responsible for all properties used by Croydon Mencap’s services, including leases for Portland House, Leslie Park and the Shop.

TEAM: Responsible for staff for all services above, along with administration and finance functions. Responsibility for volunteers, temporary and agency staff when present.

October 2013

Person Specification Chief Executive Officer

Essential Criteria Desirable CriteriaKnowledge Clear understanding of people

with disabilities, the needs of people with disabilities and of the needs of their families and carers.

Experience of learning disabilities.

Knowledge of the issues faced by vulnerable people preferably those with learning disabilities in the social care sector.

Experience of working with safeguarding procedures for vulnerable adults

Knowledge of the voluntary and local authority sectors with particular reference to people with disabilities.Knowledge of appropriate funding streams for the voluntary sector

Experience of preparing submissions for funding and tendering processes

Experience Proven leadership qualities enabling objectives to be achieved.Evidence of successful strategic planning and vision.

Membership of strategic national, local or professional forums.

Evidence of sound management abilities gained in the voluntary sector, or other relevant area.At least three years management experience.

At a senior level.

Experience of delivering services for vulnerable people.

Proven ability in supporting vulnerable adults with capacity or intellectual disabilities involving multidisciplinary processes.

Experience of managing budgets.Proven ability in financial projection planning and linking to business needs.

Experience of gaining funding , particularly in the voluntary sectorExperience of representing an organisation and championing its purpose in a variety of settings.

Success in developing a positive image of an organisation.

Experience of working with a Board of trustees and the ability to develop a positive relationship with the Board of Trustees

Skills:Proven ability to lead, manage and motivate staff and enable staff to develop their skills and work effectively

Ability to working in partnership successfully.

Experience of working with, for example, Local Authority Joint Commissioning teams or Ofsted.

Good influencing skills.Ability to contribute to strong working relationships within a team / organisation.Excellent written communication and oral skills, including the ability to write reports, policy and tender documents and to communicate effectively across a wide spectrum – e.g. potential funders, other organisations, the Board and service users.Proficient IT skills including proven capability at Microsoft Office Products including Word and Excel.Good prioritisation, organisation and time management skills.

October 2013

Application FormPlease complete in black ink. This document is available in large print and email

if required. Please phone 020 8684 5890 for further assistance

Full Time Position applied for: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Closing Date for Applications : 12 Noon - Friday 15th November 2013

Surname: Other names:

Address:

Postcode:

Tel No (daytime):

Tel No (evening):

N.I. No: Tel No (mobile):

email address:

Do you require a work permit Yes / No Do you have a current driving licence Yes / No

Present / most recent Job Title and Main Duties :

Name and address of employer:

Date appointed: Annual salary: Notice required:

The reason for leaving: The date you left (if applicable):

Do you have a health condition or disability? Yes / No

If yes, please provide details on your Supporting Statement, and add any help or reasonable adjustments that may be required to undertake the job applied for.

How many days have you been absent from work due to illness in the last two years?

……… days

References: Please provide us with the names and contact details of two referees (where applicable one should be your present/last employer). References will only be contacted upon confirmation of job offer.

Name: …………………………………………….. Name:

Position: ………………………………………….. Position:

Address: …………………………………………. Address: ………………

Postcode………………………………. ……… Postcode…………………………………

Telephone no: ………………………………….. Telephone no:

How did you learn of this vacancy?

Previous Employment History, Career Breaks, Periods of Unemployment (the most recent first)Dates (mm/yy) Your employer’s Your job title and Reason for leavingFrom To name and address main duties

Continue on additional sheet if necessary

Are there any gaps in your employment history? Yes No If yes, please explain these:

Professional Qualifications and Training

Dates (mm/yy) Qualifications Awarding BodyFrom To and/or Title of Course

Membership of Registered Body

Secondary & Further Education

Dates (mm/yy) School, College or Exams passedFrom To University

Voluntary and Community Work

Please give details of any voluntary and community work you have been involved in:Dates (mm/yy)From To

Supporting Statement

Please state your reasons for applying for this post and indicate clearly the ways in which your skills and experience meet the requirements of the Person Specification and Job Description.

Continue on an additional sheets as necessary

Rehabilitation of Offenders ActWhere posts involve working directly with people with a learning disability / mental health

difficulties the Exemptions Order of the above act allows MENCAP to enquire into the criminal background of job applicants. The job details will state whether this applies to this post. If so, you should list all criminal convictions, including any which may, in other circumstances, be considered ‘spent’.Have you ever been convicted of any criminal offence by a Court of Law? YES / NOIf YES Date Place Offence Sentence

Relatives/Partners

Do you have any relatives / partners who are currently employed by Croydon Mencap

Yes/ No If yes please supply details

Croydon Mencap reserves the right, at any time, to check on any experience, achievements, qualifications and skills claimed by you either on this application form, in any accompanying or subsequent correspondence, or at interview. By signing this form you will be providing us with your agreement for us to proceed with this course of action and confirming that you will not unreasonably refuse to sign a suitably worded information release form that will allow such an investigation to take place.

If you are invited to interview, you will be asked to bring along documentation in order to prove that you are permitted to work within the United Kingdom. The information provided on this application form will remain confidential and will be used for the purpose of selection/recruitment. If your application is successful, Croydon Mencap may, from time to time, wish to process this information for personnel, administration and business management purposes. Where this is the case, processing, whether by means of a computer or otherwise, will take place in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Acts 1984 and 1998. By signing this form you will be providing Croydon Mencap with your consent to these uses.

Declaration

I declare that to the best of my knowledge and belief, all particulars I have given are complete and true. I understand that any false declaration or misleading statement or any significant omission may disqualify me from employment and render me liable to dismissal. I understand that any job offer is subject to satisfactory references and a probationary period of 3 months and (if Croydon Mencap believes it appropriate) a satisfactory medical report. I understand that as this post involves direct contact with people with a learning disability, it is subject to a Criminal Record Check from the Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure Service for England and Wales.

Signed: …………………………………….……… Date: ……………………

Please return the completed application to:

(marking the envelope PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL) Croydon Mencap

Portland House, 678 London Road

Thornton Heath CR7 7HU

OR email the completed application to: croydonmencap@btconnect.com

Closing date for applications is: 12 Noon – Friday 15th November 2013