Social Work England Non-Executive Board Member - Audit and Risk

The Department for Education and the Department of Health & Social Care are looking to appoint a non-executive director to the Board of Social Work England, with specific skills in the area of audit and risk. Social Work England will be the new regulator for all child, family and adult social workers.

Do you have the ability to set strategic direction and engage in constructive debate and challenge? Can you work collaboratively at a senior level to plan and facilitate decisions? Do you have financial management and accounting expertise?  If so, we’d like to hear from you.  

You will have an accountancy or auditing qualification, with associated professional membership; expertise in chairing an Audit and Risk Committee; and the ability to develop and review internal controls and risk management systems.

You will be required to think strategically and have the ability to positively and constructively influence decisions at a senior level. You will be expected to establish consultative relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders including other regulators, professional associations, training providers and employees, as well the social work profession and users of its services.

This will be a challenging but extremely rewarding role.  Your input will contribute to the protection of the vulnerable in our society, as well as to raising standards in social work practice.

Please note this is a joint ministerial appointment by the Department for Education and the Department for Health and Social Care:

Essential criteria

Candidates will demonstrate:

• a commitment to the values of equality, human rights and inclusion and an ability to champion these and ensure that they underpin the work of the Board;
• a commitment to engaging service users and ensuring their voice is taken into account within decision making processes;
• an ability to set strategic direction and engage in constructive debate and challenge at all levels; and
• an ability to work collaboratively at senior/Board level to plan and facilitate decisions.

Together with expertise and ability in: 

• senior financial management and accounting, including audit and procurement expertise; and an accountancy or auditing qualification with associated professional membership (eg CIPFA, ACCA, CIMA);
• chairing an Audit and Risk Committee; and
• the development and review of internal controls and risk management systems including governance at a senior level.

Desirable criteria

It is also desirable that candidates demonstrate:

• an understanding of the regulation of professionals/individuals; and
• experience of organisations undergoing set-up and/or newly formed organisations