Third Sector Representative for the Home First Board

Context

We are seeking to fill the role of Third Sector Representative for the Home First Board, which provides high-level leadership, direction, oversight, and the delivery monitoring framework for the HomeFirst Phase 2 Programme.

The Leeds HomeFirst Programme has significantly reshaped intermediate care across the city, resulting in over 1,000 avoided hospital admissions annually and shortening average hospital stays by around eight days. This has enabled more residents to access reablement services and return home sooner with the support needed to live well and independently. Leeds is now recognised nationally and internationally as a leader in integrated care.

Despite this success, not all communities have benefited equally. The next phase – HomeFirst Phase 2 – aims to expand Active Recovery to more communities and to develop our Enhanced Care approach to support more people at home. It also shifts focus toward prevention and proactive neighbourhood care, targeting those most at risk (5–7% living with frailty or long-term conditions).

Key goals include:

Implementing a proactive care model to improve health outcomes.
Enhancing intermediate care to reduce time spent away from home.
Conducting a Prevention Diagnostic to better target support and to promote independence.

These changes promise better experiences for people and staff, improved medication management, continuity of care, reduced unplanned care, and more efficient use of resources. Ultimately, the programme seeks to empower more people to live independently, supported within their communities.

For further information visit: www.healthandcareleeds.org/about/homefirst

The Board oversees, steers, monitors progress and ensures delivery against the agreed scope and milestones set out in the HomeFirst Phase 2 Programme Mandate.

About the role

The successful candidate will be supported by the Forum Central team in gathering and synthesising views from the sector to feed into the Board, as well as feeding back from the board via Forum Central Reps and Reference Group. It is an excellent opportunity to ensure that:

The Third Sector is able to influence high-quality health and care support and services and to contribute to improving wellbeing in Leeds
The Home First Board harnesses the power of the Third Sector to help deliver the
City partners receive the valued input and insight of the Third Sector

Candidates must be able to provide time and capacity to commit to:

Attending Board meetings
Attending the quarterly Forum Central Health & Care Leaders Network
Attending Third Sector Forum Central Reps Meetings monthly online
Having regular contact with the Forum Central team members to discuss input from the sector across the agenda and for ongoing support

Commitment

Monthly meetings either via MS Teams or Face to Face for two hours and requiring approximately two hours preparation/feedback time.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Applicants should be able to demonstrate and give examples, evidencing skills and knowledge in the following areas:

Confidence speaking on behalf of the sector, without personal or organisational bias
Commitment to people’s voices being at the heart of decision-making in Leeds
Commitment to reducing health inequalities and improving outcomes for people
Understand key relevant concepts, including wider determinants of health and intersectionality
Knowledge of the health and care system in Leeds and in particular the Third Sector, voluntary and community services and an understanding of the importance of place and asset-based provision
Understanding of the strategic context for health and care in Leeds and the issues facing Third Sector organisations delivering health and care outcomes in Leeds
Strong communication skills and the ability to be a confident strategic voice for our diverse Third Sector with a willingness to challenge constructively and hold the board to account
Experience of contributing to multi-agency meetings

Support to the roles

The role is supported by the Volition Director Pip Goff and the wider team who provide:

An induction which will address any training and development needs and provide knowledge, information and data about Third Sector health and social care activities
Links and introductions to the Forum Central membership and wider partnerships
Support for actions following meetings (e.g. accessing research, data, engagement with the wider sector) as required
Access to simple feedback mechanisms
Forum Central will communicate key messages arising from any board meetings to the wider sector (through the FC Website, e-bulletin, etc.)
Support available to enable capacity if that is a barrier to people from smaller organisations

Selection process

Interested parties should provide an expression of interest to [email protected] explaining how you meet the role criteria. The expression of interest should be no longer than 500 words. Alternatively, you may submit a short video application explaining your suitability for the role.

We particularly encourage applications from underrepresented communities working with people who experience the least health equity.

The deadline for submission is 12 noon on Monday 17th June

Expressions of interest will be reviewed by Forum Central with input from the Health and Wellbeing Board Health Partnerships team and applicants will be invited to an informal discussion

Contact

If you have any questions or would like more information on the roles please contact: [email protected] or [email protected] who is currently the rep

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