Job Description Director of Fitness to Practise Department: Reports To: Direct Reports: Salary Band: Fitness to Practise Chief Executive & Registrar Head of Case Management Head of Adjudications Head of Assurance & Development Head of FTP Service Improvement PA to the Director of Fitness to Practise Band A Main Purpose of Job Overall responsibility and management of the functions of the Fitness to Practise Directorate, including the implementation of the Council s Case Management Programme. To develop and implement the organisation s Fitness to Practise strategy, working closely with the Chief Executive, relevant Committees and appointed agencies. To manage Fitness to Practise functions on a day to-day basis including budget, external agencies involved in the fitness to practise function (lawyers, partners and other agencies) and employees. Position in Organisation Member of the Executive Management Team. HCPC liaison with Council and relevant Committees which include (but are not limited to) the three Statutory Fitness to Practise Committees. External liaison with relevant external stakeholders which include (but are not limited to) professional bodies, other regulators, government departments and MP s, consumer and employer groups, police forces, court services, lawyers and employers of registrants. Page 1 of 5
Provide instruction to lawyers on issues as they relate to the responsibilities of the Fitness to Practise Department including High Court Appeals. Manages leads and provides support to the management and employees of the Fitness to Practise Directorate. Liaises with employee at all levels within the organisation. Scope of Job Overall responsibility for all Departments within the Fitness to Practise Directorate. Develops and implements Fitness to Practise Strategy, including the implementation and development of appropriate case management strategies. Identifies improvement to processes and procedures supporting the work and functions of the fitness to practise department. Dimensions and Limits of Authority Manages the Fitness to Practise Directorate budget (approximately forty percent of HCPC s overall operating costs), operating within the budgetary limits of this Department. This will include preparing the annual budget and monitoring expenditure. Acts in accordance with statutory powers delegated by Council. Ability to act as HCPC s spokesperson on issues that are the responsibility of the Fitness to Practise Department. Can raise quotes, engage contractors (including instruction of lawyers) or other resources within the limits of the Fitness to Practise budget. Management of the employees within the Fitness to Practise Directorate. Conduct and defend any high court proceedings brought against the Council as they relate to Fitness to Practise. Deputises for Chief Executive Officer and Registrar in his/her absence. Page 2 of 5
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities Essential Educated to degree level or equivalent skills and abilities. A sound working knowledge at a senior/executive level of a fitness to practise role within a public sector, health, regulatory environment or private sector organisation. Significant demonstrated skills in leading, supporting and managing a team or several teams. A high level of diplomacy and proven ability to communicate with and manage stakeholders, including but not limited to UK government departments, and ability to build relationships and network effectively. Excellent written English skills with the ability to research and write policy documents and reports of a high standard. Strong presentation skills with experience of writing and giving presentations to different audiences. An ability to understand legal and procedural documents and ethical principles. Knowledge of political and governmental processes. Sound working knowledge of window based software packages, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, electronic mail, and the internet. Sound working knowledge of management processes around hearings management, including instruction of lawyers where necessary. Skills and competencies in project management, designing and implementing complex internal business processes and strategies. Willingness to travel on a regular basis throughout the UK, including overnight stays as required. Page 3 of 5
Duties and Key Responsibilities Your principal duties and key responsibilities will be those set out below. In addition to those duties, HCPC reserves the right to require you to undertake additional or other duties within your capacity as may from time to time be reasonably required and necessary to meet the needs of the HCPC. Management To perform the duties expected as a member of the Executive Management Team. Provide leadership and motivation for the teams within the Fitness to Practise Directorate. To produce and manage business development plans, and performance and service delivery improvement plans and deliver these in support to HCPC s overall business strategy. Co-ordinate and lead in the work across the Fitness to Practise Department. Fitness to Practise Strategy Draft and develop overall Fitness to Practise strategy for the Council ensuring that HCPC s resources are managed to their best effect. Develop targeted budget of appropriate amounts. Manage Fitness to Practise Directorate budget Control Fitness to Practise budget within appropriate guidelines. Award and terminate contracts as part of this in relation to Fitness to Practise work. Reports and Strategy To write briefings, reports, consultation documents, Council and committee papers, material for the website and intranet, and other documents as required. To ensure that all written information is clear and conforms where possible to plain English Campaign guidelines. To write or supervise the writing of the Fitness to Practise Departmental annual report. Page 4 of 5
Legal Matters Manage the relationship of the legal services provided to the Fitness to Practise Department. Regular liaison with the HCPC s Parliamentary agent on any legal matters pertaining to the Department. Attendance at court (including High Court) when required. Responsible for assisting the Chief Executive in the legal services tendering process. Stakeholder Management Contribute to working groups of the Council for Regulatory Healthcare Excellence. Advise and provide guidance to management at all levels within HCPC on Fitness to Practise policy trends and performance. General To carry out the responsibilities of the post with due regard to the HCPC's Diversity Policy and to treat colleagues and other HCPC stakeholders with respect and dignity at all times. Page 5 of 5