Committee Terms of Reference
The Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) and the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (the Council) wish to establish a Forum of Social Care Registrants (the Forum), in accordance with The Northern Ireland Social Care Council (Appointments and Procedures) Regulations (NI) 2001. The function of the Forum will be to provide advice and representation on the views of registrants and act as a consultative body for Council with the aim of promoting better communication and understanding between the Council and its registrants.
Terms of Reference
1. The Forum will represent to Council the views and expectations of registrants on key aspects of the Council’s work.
2. The Forum will be consulted on:-
- The Council’s Corporate Plan;
- The Council’s annual business plans;
- The plans to roll out registration;
- Emerging Policy matters.
3. Frequency of Meetings
The Forum will meet as frequently as required to discharge its business, but in any case on a minimum of three occasions annually, two of which will be directly with the Council. The Forum will also meet with Senior Managers as necessary.
4. Membership
In the first instance the Forum shall be comprised of:-
- Four representatives appointed by NIPSA;
- Four representatives appointed by UNISON;
- One representative appointed by BASW;
- One representative of the Student Part of the Register.
Membership, both in terms of numbers, breakdown and methods of appointment, will be reviewed initially as part of an evaluation of the Forum’s effectiveness after one year and thereafter every two years to ensure that membership is regularly renewed and reflects as far as possible the diversity of registrants and the respective size of the various parts of the Register. Chairing Arrangements for the Forum
5. The Forum will appoint a Chair and Vice-Chair from among its membership to be renewed annually. The Chair or Vice-Chair will have observer status at meetings of the Council.
6. Committees of the Council
Copies of Agendas of other Council Committees will be circulated to the Chair and Vice Chair and where there are issues of common interest on the agenda and it is thought to be useful they may have observer status at those Committees.