Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC) - Council Members
- Body
- Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC)
- Appointing Department
- Department for Work and Pensions
- Sector
- Regulation
- Location
- London but there will also be an opportunity to join the meetings remotely.
- Number of Vacancies
- Up to 6
- Remuneration
- £142 for attendance at the IIAC council meeting
- Time Requirements
- IIAC Members are expected to attend and take a full part in at least four Council meetings each year
Campaign Timeline
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Competition Launched
26/05/2022
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Closed for Applications
29/06/2022
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Panel Sift
TBC
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Final Interview Date
TBC
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Announcement
16/02/2023 at 10:00
Announcement
An announcement has been made on the outcome of this appointment.
New appointments to the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council Four new members have been appointed to the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council from 3 January 2023 for 5 years.
From: Industrial Injuries Advisory Council Published 16 January 2023
On behalf of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Richard Heron and Dr Sharon Stevelink as independent medical/scientific members, Dr Sally Hemming as an employer representative and Stephen Mitchell as an employee representative.
The Chair of IIAC, Dr Lesley Rushton OBE welcomed the appointments of all four members and the experience they will bring in taking IIAC’s work forward.
Dr Richard Heron Dr Richard Heron has been appointed as an independent member for a term of five years. Richard is an independent Chief Medical Officer and the Managing Director at Heron Health Consulting Ltd. He is also Honorary Professorial Fellow, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology at the University of Nottingham Medical School and a Honorary Teacher, Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Manchester.
Other honours and membership of academic bodies held include:
Honorary Professorial Fellow at the International Business and Health, Department of Medicine, University of Nottingham Expert Advisor to NHS England and NHS Improvement on their health and wellbeing expert advisory group Co-chair of the International Occupational Medicine Society Collaborative Dr Sharon Stevelink Dr Sharon Stevelink has been appointed as an independent member for a term of five years. She is a Senior Lecturer in epidemiology at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience and a National Institute for Health and Care Research Advanced Fellow, jointly based at the Department of Psychological Medicine and King’s Centre for Military Health Research at King’s College London.
Sharon drives a research agenda exploring occupational mental health and is interested in how working in high-risk occupations such as the military, police force, fire brigade, ambulance services and the NHS, impacts on the mental health and wellbeing of workers.
Other honours and membership of academic bodies held include:
Academic member of the Psychological Medicine PhD Sub-Committee at King’s College London Chair of the assessment sub-board for MSc in War & Psychiatry at King’s College London Associate editorial board member of BMC Psychiatry Dr Sally Hemming Dr Sally Hemming has been appointed as a representative of employers for a term of five years. Sally is the Health and Wellbeing Lead at EY, UKI and also undertakes associate wellbeing services to Robertson Cooper, Northern Trust and JP Hemming Ltd. With over 20 years’ experience, she is an employee relations and workplace health and wellbeing practitioner possessing a scientific specialism in employer support, behavioural, cultural change and working conditions to enhance wellbeing.
Sally is also a representative on the UK’s National Health and Wellbeing Forum and published health researcher.
Stephen Mitchell Stephen Mitchell has been appointed as a representative of workers for a five year term. He is Deputy Head of Legal Services and also Data Protection Officer for the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers Union. Steve has 30 years’ legal experience in claimant personal injury work and in dealing with workplace disease and complex accident cases.
Date: 16/02/2023
Assessment Panel
- Panel Member
- Jenan Hasan
- Added
- 26/05/2022
- Panel Role
- Panel Chair
- Positions
- Head of Arm’s Length Bodies Partnership Division, DWP Departmental Official
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- Panel Member
- Dr Lesley Rushton
- Added
- 26/05/2022
- Positions
- IIAC Chair Representative of Organisation
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- Panel Member
- Rosie Varley OBE
- Added
- 26/05/2022
- Positions
- former OCPA appointed Public Appointments Assessor.
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Vacancy Description
The Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC or The Council) is an independent statutory body set up in 1946 to advise the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland on matters relating to the Industrial Injuries Scheme (IIS). The Council is funded and sponsored by DWP.
Much of the Council’s time is spent considering whether the list of prescribed diseases for which benefit may be paid should be added to or amended. The Council can also provide advice on the administration of the IIS.
Background to Industrial Injuries Scheme
The IIS is made up of several benefits providing tax free, non-contributory, no fault compensation to employed earners for injury arising from an industrial accident, or from specified occupationally caused diseases (prescribed diseases). Industrial Injuries Disability Benefit (IIDB) covers over 70 occupationally caused diseases. Further information about the scheme can be found at: GOV.UK technical guidance
Most IIDB claimants are required to have a medical examination (carried out by an external provider), to confirm their diagnosis and to determine their percentage of disablement. This is used to calculate the level of weekly award to which they are entitled. The criteria for assessing disablement under IIDB are set out in regulations and apply to all claims. The assessment is made by comparison to a person of the same age and sex whose physical and mental condition is normal and is expressed as a percentage. Most awards become payable from 14% disablement.
Membership of IIAC
IIAC members are appointed by the responsible Minister, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. The Council typically consists of:
- Independent members, made up of the Chair, doctors, scientists and solicitors
- Representatives of employers
- Representatives of employees.
There are usually 16 members of IIAC – although this will vary from time to time. Legislation states the Council must have equal numbers representing employers and employed earners. Independent members come from occupational medicine, science, and related fields. As Ministers are required to refer proposed regulations concerning IIDB to IIAC for its consideration, there is usually at least one legally qualified member to assist the Council with this task and any other legal issues that may arise.
Advice
IIAC’s advice to the Secretary of State usually takes the form of Command Papers. DWP publishes these Command Papers and places copies placed in libraries of the House of Commons and the House of Lords’ libraries and on the IIAC website. Ministers then respond to the recommendations made by IIAC in its reports.
Meetings
IIAC meets four times each year. It has a standing committee, the Research Working Group, that also meets four times a year. To ensure it maintains a good relationship with its stakeholders the Council has committed to meet with a range of stakeholders annually including holding a public meeting every other year .
Full Council meetings usually take place in January, late March, July, and October. Dates for 2023 will be included in the new member induction pack. A Public Meeting usually takes place every other year following the full Council meeting in July, with the next one due to take place in 2023.
IIAC has a Secretariat staffed by DWP officials.
The Council is seeking up to six new Council Members in three roles:
- Independent medical or scientific expert (two roles)
- Representative of employees (up to two roles)
- Representative of employers (up to two roles)
Further information about the Council can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/industrial-injuries-advisory-council
The Role of IAC Member
All IIAC Members will be expected to:
- review information from a variety of sources, including research papers
- put forward informed constructive assessments in Council investigations and contribute to the preparation of its recommendations/reports
- participate in other duties of the Council, such as advising the DWP on the drafting of relevant legislation and guidance
- prepare fully for all meetings by reading papers in advance and carrying out any other necessary preparatory work; and
- attend a minimum of four Council meetings per year and be available for other related work to enable the Council to conduct its business, such as attending ad hoc meetings or working between meetings to evaluate the scientific evidence where necessary and attending external stakeholder events
- demonstrate commitment to the Seven Principles Underpinning Public Life defined by the Committee on Standards in Public Life (Annex 1 of the attached candidate pack).
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
Candidates must specify which role they are applying for: Independent Medical or Scientific Expert; Representative of Employees or Representative of Employers. Candidates may apply for more than one role and must specify clearly how they meet the separate criteria for each role.
Independent Medical Expert or Independent Scientific Expert (Two Roles)
All successful candidates will need to demonstrate evidence against the following essential criteria:
- Knowledge of the key issues and causes of occupational ill health and the impact of the broad issues surrounding disability (will have published papers on, or contributed to published reviews of occupational injuries and diseases)
- Proven ability to evaluate complex technical and/or medical issues relating to the detail of occupational health and industrial injuries/diseases
- Experience of conducting reviews impartially and objectively, and the ability to contribute to the drafting of Council reports
- Excellent interpersonal skills and written and oral communication skills, especially the ability to communicate effectively to different audiences
Desirable criteria
- Applications from experts across all fields of occupational health are welcome but we are particularly seeking expertise in epidemiology or women’s occupational health or a combination of these.
- Clear understanding of the role of an expert advisory committee or similar body and an ability to contribute effectively to it. (Prior participation of such a body is not essential).
- General knowledge of:
- industrial injuries compensation
- disability and sickness-related benefits
- the framework of legislation – Acts, Regulations, including general anti-discrimination, data protection or human rights legislation.
Representative of Employees (up to two roles)
All successful candidates will need to demonstrate evidence against the following essential criteria:
- Ability to contribute an understanding of employee interests on industrial injuries, including accidents at work and diseases caused by work. Ideally candidates will have a strong network (or relationship) with key employee stakeholders
- An understanding of the key issues in occupational health and awareness of the broad issues surrounding disablement, compensation, and rehabilitation.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and written and oral communication skills, especially the ability to communicate effectively to different audiences.
Desirable criteria
- An ability to analyse technical issues relating to occupational health and industrial injuries/diseases as they affect the operation of the scheme in practice
- Knowledge of:
- industrial injuries compensation
- disability and sickness-related benefits, and
- the framework of legislation – Acts, Regulations, including general anti-discrimination, data protection and human rights legislation.
Representative of Employers (up to two roles)
All successful candidates will need to demonstrate evidence against the following essential criteria:
- Ability to contribute an understanding of employer interests on industrial injuries, including accidents at work and diseases caused by work.
- An understanding of the key issues in occupational health and awareness of the broad issues surrounding disablement, compensation, and rehabilitation.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and written and oral communication skills, especially the ability to communicate effectively to different audiences.
Desirable criteria
- An ability to analyse technical issues relating to occupational health and industrial injuries/diseases as they affect the operation of the scheme in practice
- Knowledge of:
- industrial injuries compensation
- disability and sickness-related benefits, and
- the framework of legislation – Acts, Regulations, including general anti-discrimination, data protection and human rights legislation.
Additional Information
Candidates who are successful at the sift stage can expect to be contacted during w/c 29 August 2022
How to Apply
For us to progress your application please submit all the following completed documentation:
1. A CV (maximum 2-3 pages) with your education, professional qualifications, and full employment history. Please ensure clearly state your full name at the top of your
2. An accompanying Supporting Statement (maximum 2 pages, font size 12 point). This is your opportunity to demonstrate how you meet each of the criteria set out in this information pack. The initial sift is based on this information, so it is important to fully address the criteria. You should aim to provide specific examples that demonstrate how your knowledge and experience matches each of the criteria, and which describe what your role was in achieving a specific result.
Please clearly state your full name at the top of your supporting statement and confirm the role that you are applying for.
If you are applying for more than one role, please specify clearly how you meet the separate criteria for each role.
3. Personal Information Form. Most of the information requested is not seen by the panel assessing your application (although the panel may consider your declaration of interests).
4. Diversity Monitoring Form. Collecting and analysing candidate data will help us improve our diversity strategy. It will allow us to run more successful recruitment exercises in the future and ensure that competitions are fair for all. This form is not part of the selection process and will be treated in strictest confidence. It will be kept separate from your application and not be seen by the Assessment Panel.
Identity verification:
For candidates who reach interview stage, a video call will be set up prior to interview to test your internet connection and check ID documents. This can be either a valid passport or photo card driving licence. We may ask you to send a scan of this document prior to this testing call.
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR ALL APPLICANTS: You will receive an automated acknowledgement once your application has been received. If you do not receive this acknowledgement email, your application has not been sent to the inbox successfully. If you do not receive the acknowledgement email, please resend your application, or contact us separately as soon as possible on the above email address.
To ensure your email passes our electronic security measures, please do not mark it as ‘Private’.
If you have any difficulty in sending your application or need the application pack in an alternative format, please contact the ALB Public Appointments Team.
Please email your application to: alb.publicappointments@dwp.gov.uk.
The closing date for applications has now been extended to 23:00 on Wednesday 29 June 2022. Late applications will not be accepted.