The Family Mediation Council seeks to appoint a Chair and Treasurer The field of family mediation has seen significant changes over recent years and, with the practice a key part of the government s strategy to improving people s experience of family breakdown, it is anticipated that family mediation will continue to grow. 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, offering exacting professional and training standards. The FMC is now seeking to appoint a new Chair, to succeed the first chair of the FMC who is stepping down, and a Treasurer to ensure financial probity, to fill two of the three independent director posts on its board. Background Since early 2010 the government has placed increasing importance on the role of family mediation within the family justice system. Policy makers and government have moved this non confrontational, out of court dispute resolution option onto the centre of the stage of family justice. In April 2013 significant changes to legal aid led to an increasing reliance on the role of family mediation in the resolution of family based disputes. A year later, changes to legislation brought in a statutory requirement for those seeking to apply to the courts to resolve their family disputes to attend a mediation assessment meeting before issuing proceedings, to see if mediation would be a suitable option. The FMC was set up in 2007 with the aim of harmonising standards for family mediation in England and Wales. It brings together the six national family mediation organisations: ADR Group, College of Mediators, Family Mediators Association, The Law Society, National Family Mediation, and Resolution. Its role is to ensure standards are set for family mediation, and to represent and promote family mediation to the public. Each member organisation appoints a director to the board of the FMC. The constitution also specifies that there should be three independent directors. In 2012 the FMC commissioned a review of its function and purpose. The review, conducted by Professor John McEldowney, concluded that 1
The independent Board Members have a pivotal role in shaping the future of the FMC and ensuring that the FMC may act independently when required from the member organisations. A key recommendation of the review was that there should be one standard of accreditation for all family mediators and that the FMC should be responsible for these professional standards as well as a self regulatory framework for the family mediation profession. The FMC commissioned Dr Stan Lester, a leading expert on professional standards, to carry out this work which he did together with representatives of the profession as a whole. This work was completed in September 2014, and the new standards framework is now being implemented by the FMC through its independent standards board (FMSB). The FMSB is operationally independent of the FMC, and is composed of three independent members and three individual mediator members. As part of its continuing development, the FMC became an incorporated body in April 2015. Details of the roles The FMC wishes to appoint two new independent directors of the FMC to work alongside the rest of the board: a Chair to guide and facilitate the FMC in the formulation of the next stage of its development and strategy, which will build upon the successful work of recent years and continue to promote family mediation; and a Treasurer to hold an overview of the FMC s affairs, ensuring its financial viability and that it maintains proper financial records and procedures. The roles are not remunerated although reasonable travel to all meetings on FMC related business will be reimbursed. It is anticipated that the role of the Chair will involve a time commitment of five days per month, including meetings of the FMC s board in London once every two months and occasional meetings with Ministry of Justice officials and other government figures. The role of the Treasurer is anticipated to involve a time commitment of two days per month, including any finance group meetings, plus a meeting of the board in London once every two months. This role is subject to a review after three months. Much of the work can be carried out remotely. The board will be supported by an Executive Officer and a company which carries out the FMC s administration. It is anticipated that the appointments will be for a period of 4 years in accordance with the rules laid down in the Articles of Association. 2
Role description and person specification - Chair The role of the Chair is to: - lead the FMC by developing and monitoring its strategy, and by steering the board in identifying the key governance decisions to be made, ensuring well- founded decision making, managing potential conflicts of interest to ensure that probity is maintained and there is appropriate transparency; - chair bi- monthly meetings of the FMC s board, ensuring the board discusses and agrees the purpose and core values of the organisation and makes decisions that advance the purpose of the organisation; - represent the FMC to, and maintain good relationships with, the family mediation community, government, other relevant organisations and the public; - work closely with and manage the interrelationship between the FMC s Executive Officer, the FMSB and particularly its chair, and FMC members to create productive relationships which will enable the work of the organisation to be delivered; - assist the FMC to work within its currently very limited financial and staff resources, and to help it increase those resources. It is likely that the Chair will have the following experience, skills and attributes: experience of providing leadership in complex situations experience of chairing a board and managing differing interests experience of working for a representative organisation an understanding of regulation the ability to focus on both outward looking tasks such as representation and inward looking issues such as management excellent verbal and written communication skills the diplomacy and tact to work constructively and collaboratively with others the capacity to see the bigger picture, to clarify issues and to work through problems enthusiasm, energy and commitment to the role. 3
Role description and person specification Treasurer The role of the Treasurer is to: - oversee, approve and present budgets, accounts and other financial statements; - liaise with executive staff over financial records; - liaise with accountants if appropriate; - ensure that the accounts are prepared in the form required by law, included in the annual report and submitted to the relevant bodies; - make a presentation of the accounts at the Annual General Meeting and draw attention to the important points in a coherent and easily understandable way. The Treasurer must have the following qualifications, skills and attributes: financial qualifications and experience including in accountancy and investments the ability to make presentations and recommendations the ability to work effectively as part of a team the ability to analyse proposals and examine their financial consequences. How to apply for either role Applications should be sent by email to helen.anthony@legalpolicy.co.uk to arrive no later than 5pm on 29 February 2016 and should include: 1. A supporting statement no longer than two pages explaining why the role interests you and how you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification. 2. Your CV with details of your education, professional qualifications and employment history. Please include your daytime and evening telephone contact numbers and an e- mail address, which will be used with discretion. Please also include the names of two referees. Please note that referees will not be approached without your prior knowledge, and only following a successful application and final interview. 3. A completed equal opportunities monitoring form. Please note that this is voluntary. 4
Interviews Applicants with the most appropriate mix of qualifications and experience will be invited to participate in the selection process. Informal first interviews will take place on 8 th March 2016 in London and will be conducted by three members of the Board. For those who are asked back for a second interview, this will be formal involving the full Board on 14 th April 2016. Appointments will be made subject to satisfactory references. Further information If you have any questions about the appointment or the process please call Helen Anthony on 07817 743194 or e- mail helen.anthony@legalpolicy.co.uk. The outgoing chair is happy to have an informal conversation with potential candidates at the appropriate stage. 5