Dear Candidate,
Thank you for your interest in becoming the Chair of the Lay Observers’ National
Council. Independent scrutiny plays an important role in driving safety, the
care and treatment and access to justice of those detained in state custody and
I take the recommendations made by the independent scrutiny bodies very
seriously. I would welcome applications from candidates who like to work
closely with Ministers and my officials.
Lay
Observers investigate and report on conditions in which detained persons are
transported or held by Prisoner Escort and Custody Services (PECS) contractors
in England and Wales, particularly regarding their welfare and just treatment. Lay Observers operate
independently of Government and are part of the UK’s National Preventive
Mechanism. There are currently 48 Active Lay Observer
members operating in England and Wales.
This is a
voluntary, part-time role, with a time commitment of up to eight days per
month. The Chair will be responsible for
leading the Lay Observers’ National Council to ensure Lay Observers operate
effectively and efficiently, and independently discharge their statutory and
other functions, providing high quality support and challenge. This is a highly demanding
but rewarding role and presents a rare opportunity for the right candidate to
contribute significantly to improvements in the delivery of key public
services. I welcome applicants from the widest possible field.
If you have further questions about this
post, you are welcome to speak to Paul Norris, Deputy Director: Scrutiny,
Performance and Engagement. Please
contact Paul via email at Paul.Norris2@Justice.gov.uk.
If you have questions about the
appointment process, you can contact the Public Appointments Team at: PublicAppointmentsTeam@Justice.gov.uk, or call Nalini Deen on
07849 854544.
If you believe you have the experience
and qualities we are seeking, we very much look forward to hearing from you. I
do hope you will consider applying for this important position.
Rt Hon Alex
Chalk KC MP
Lord Chancellor
and Secretary of State for Justice
Operationally
independent of Government, the Chair will be expected to provide strategic
direction for the Lay Observers and challenge the Government to improve
conditions, through regular engagement with senior government stakeholders, as
well as well-designed recommendations in an Annual Report. The Chair is
responsible for leading the work of the Lay Observers and ensuring that there
are systems, policies and guidance to assist Lay Observers to perform their
statutory responsibilities effectively and independently. The Chair will be expected
to lead the organisation in light of the protocol agreed with MoJ which sets
out its remit and functions.
The National Council
considers matters relevant to all Lay Observers and is led by the Chair. It is
responsible for:
·
evolving the strategy
and culture of the organisation;
·
providing mechanisms
for Lay Observers reporting on the conditions in which detainees are held and
transported by escort contractors’ staff;
·
ensuring visits are
carried out by Lay Observers, reports are completed, and concerns brought to
the attention of the Prisoner Escort & Custody Service Contract Delivery
Managers, HMCTS and other relevant stakeholders;
·
maintaining Lay
Observers membership at a level which allows them to perform their duties;
ensuring the recruitment of Lay Observers is conducted fairly, openly and on
merit.
The Chair convenes and
oversees the work of the Lay Observers’ National Council. The
Chair also ensures that, on a regional basis, monitoring is appropriately
performed by the Lay Observers and that their work properly dovetails with that
of other bodies, such as the Independent Monitoring Boards (IMBs) and prison
inspectors.
The Chair is the
principal Lay Observer representing the organisation, as well as the national
media spokesperson and national liaison point with Ministers, the Department,
Parliament, His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS), His Majesty’s
Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and partner organisations. The Chair and
National Council are supported by a Secretariat that is shared with the
Independent Monitoring Boards; the Chair task manages the CEO of Secretariat.
In the Prisons Strategy White Paper,
the Ministry of Justice has committed to bringing forward legislation to
combine the IMBs’ Management Board and Lay Observers’ National Council into a
single Board under a single Chair – both of which are to be recognised in
legislation. Therefore, whilst the length of tenure
for this post is advertised as 3 years, this may be shorter if a legislative
slot is obtained, legislation is laid during this time and the Chair roles
combined.
About the Lay Observers
This is an exciting opportunity to lead the Lay Observers, at a time when independent scrutiny, is high on Ministerial agendas.
The Lay Observers role is to inspect conditions in which detained persons are transported or held by escort and custody contractors in England and Wales and we require a voluntary, part-time Chair to provide strategic oversight to the organisation. Lay Observers operate independently of Government and are part of the UK’s National Preventive Mechanism, under the United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture, (OPCAT).
There are currently 48 Active Lay Observer members, excluding the Chair, who operate in England and Wales. Lay Observers are unpaid public appointees appointed by the Secretary of State under the Criminal Justice Act 1991 (section 81(1)(b)).
· Further information on the role of the Lay Observers can be found here.
This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the
Commissioner’s website 