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Appointment details

Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee Members

Summary

• Organisation: Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee
• Sponsor department: Department for Transport
• Location: London
• Sectors: Transport
• Skills: Communication
• Number of vacancies: 14
• Time commitment: 2 day(s) per month
• Remuneration: £275 per day
• Length of term: Up to 3 years
• Application deadline: 11:59pm on 22 January 2024

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   11 December 2023

2. Application deadline

   11:59pm on 22 January 2024

3. Sifting date

   1 March 2024

4. Interviews expected to end on

   21 March 2024

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction from the Minister

Dear Applicant,

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Member of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC).

This is an important time for the Department for Transport (DfT). We are investing heavily in infrastructure and public transport to improve journeys, boost connections, level up the country and support economic growth. Central to our mission is delivering transport that works for everyone in our society. Making sure our transport system is fully accessible is a key priority for us.

DPTAC is crucial to that process, providing the Department with invaluable advice about the transport needs of disabled people. We are recruiting for up to 14 new members to join the Committee. Each member’s expertise will help officials to design and deliver inclusive and accessible transport policy. 

DPTAC has a statutory duty to provide advice to the Department for Transport to assist in the development of policy and other proposals. It acts as a ‘sounding board’ offering clear constructive advice to Ministers and DfT officials.

We strongly welcome applications from all backgrounds. As part of the Department’s commitment to diversity, we believe our public appointments should reflect our customers - the travelling public. We very much welcome fresh talent, expertise, and perspectives, to help us better understand the needs of the communities we serve. This includes people who may have never applied for a public appointment – but could bring new ideas, insights and energy.

If you are interested in the role and work of DPTAC, I would like to encourage you to apply.

Our dedicated DfT Public Appointments Team would be happy to talk through the process and answer your questions.

The Rt Hon Mark Harper MP

Secretary of State for Transport

Appointment description

The Committee has collective responsibility for the effective operation of DPTAC under the leadership of the Chair. To ensure DPTAC continues to be effective, members will need to:  

• Use their expertise to collectively provide succinct, high quality, practical advice on matters referred to them by DfT officials and ministers, for example by attending meetings or providing written advice.  
• Identify opportunities or threats relevant to transport accessibility that could be raised with DfT and provide advice on those matters. 
   
• Build constructive working relationships with officials and stakeholders to promote DPTAC’s interests.
      
• Promote better understanding of the transport needs of disabled people within DfT and the transport sector. 
• Work towards DPTAC’s collective priorities and areas of interest, including suggesting new areas to consider. 
• Maintain and develop a strong awareness of current affairs in the transport sector and the specific needs and concerns of disabled people in the United Kingdom. 
• Uphold the standards of conduct set out in the Committee on Standards in Public Life’s Seven Principles of Public Life.

Organisation description

DPTAC is an independent expert committee established by the Transport Act 1985 to advise Government on the transport needs of disabled people. The Act requires that at least half of DPTAC’s members are disabled. The committee is appointed by the Secretary of State and currently consists of 9 members and the Chair.  

DPTAC is sponsored by the Department for Transport, and is provided a Secretariat to assist DPTAC with meetings, correspondence, and exchange of information with the Department. However, DPTAC offers its views independently of the Department. We expect there will be occasions when that advice is for the Department to do more or to act differently.  

Likewise, while DPTAC gathers the views of disabled people and organisations representing disabled people, its advice is independent of those individuals or organisations. DPTAC encourages Government to do more to meet the needs of disabled people, but it is not a lobbying organisation.  

On a day-to-day basis, DPTAC will:  

·       Provide advice to the Department to assist in the development of policy and other proposals.  

·       Monitor how DfT delivers its commitments, such as those set out in the Inclusive Transport Strategy.  

·       Be a “sounding board” and “critical friend” to DfT and offer clear, constructive criticism and challenge.  

·       As required, provide additional advice and support to DfT, participating in steering groups for research projects, and on task and finish groups. 

DPTAC has legal duties to:   

·       Consider any matter relating to the needs of disabled persons in connection with public passenger transport and the built environment referred to them by the Secretary of State, or which they think it appropriate to consider.  

·       Make and lay an Annual Report to the Secretary of State.   

·       Meet as a committee at least four times a year, with such meetings usually held in DfT’s London office.

DPTAC also has several working groups covering areas including rail, aviation, local transport, personal mobility, and research and evidence. These groups are made up of the DPTAC Chair, a working group chair, and selected other DPTAC members. Working group meetings are held at the discretion of the working group chair. Working groups develop advice for DfT on their area of expertise, whether provided verbally to DfT officials at meetings or in more formal advice notes.

DPTAC’s membership brings a wealth of skills, expertise and experience from a wide range of areas. It is a gender-balanced committee and currently over 80% of its members have lived experience of disability. Its strengths include commitment to DPTAC’s goals, a shared trust between members, Chair and the DfT, skills spanning the transport sectors and the built environment, and productive discussions in an environment of honesty, respect and shared values.  

DPTAC often work with highly confidential and fast-evolving policy thinking and will need to provide evidence-based and constructive challenge, often at pace.  

DPTAC advises the Secretary of State on national transport policy powers reserved to Westminster. In policy areas where transport powers have been devolved, DPTAC liaises with the devolved administrations and their equivalents to DPTAC to coordinate work on common accessibility issues.  

Regulation of appointment

This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the Commissioner’s website 

Person specification

Essential criteria

DPTAC is committed to fostering inclusivity and ensuring diversity in its representation. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds who can bring their unique experiences, perspectives, and voices to our team. We value lived experiences on dealing with accessibility challenges; whether you're a parent managing complex needs, a transport enthusiast, or someone passionate about creating more inclusive environments, we want to hear from you. Together, we can make travel accessible for everyone.

1. A strong understanding of the barriers faced by disabled people, particularly when travelling.
2. Accessibility experience: Engagement with accessibility issues, either through professional avenues, personal experiences, or roles as caregivers. This experience could be within the transport sector or any other relevant fields.
3. Collaboration skills: Proven ability to successfully work with a wide range of people on complex and emotive topics.
4. Problem-solving skills: Ability to scrutinise complex issues and develop practical solutions, particularly within the framework of improving transport accessibility.
5. Communication skills: Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex ideas to a wide range of audiences from policymakers to the general public.

Application and selection process

How to apply

In order to apply you will need to create an account or sign in.

Once you are logged into your account, click on 'apply for this role' and follow the on-screen instructions. To apply, all candidates are required to provide:

• a Curriculum Vitae (CV) or equivalent biographical information (maximum two sides A4, minimum 12 font) setting out your career history and including details of any professional qualifications.  
• a supporting statement - a summary of why you are interested in the role and how you meet the specification and essential criteria. This can be in a form that allows you most ably to present your interest and credentials, for example a short, bullet-point slide presentation, a short video (no more than 2 mins) or supporting letter (no more than two A4 pages, minimum 12 font). Make sure you refer to the contents of this document and provide specific examples. If you wish to provide your supporting summary in video format, please contact DfTPATApplications@dft.gov.uk in advance of the closing date.   
• equality information
• information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues

We will ask you to check and confirm your personal details to ensure your application is accurate.

You will also have the opportunity to make a reasonable adjustment request or apply under the disability confident scheme before you submit your application.

The Advisory Assessment Panel reserves the right to only consider applications that contain all of the elements listed above, and that arrive before the published deadline for applications.

Overview of the application process

Public appointments are made on merit following a fair and open competition process which is conducted in accordance with the Governance Code for Public Appointments. We will deal with your application as quickly as possible and will keep you informed at key stages. We aim to conclude the appointment process within three months of the deadline for applications – this is in accordance with the Governance Code.

The assessment process

1. Ministers are responsible and accountable to Parliament for the public appointments made within their department. As a result, they must be consulted at every stage of the appointments process.

2. An Advisory Assessment Panel (“Panel”) is appointed by Ministers to assist them in their decision making. The role of the Panel is to decide, objectively, which candidates meet the eligibility criteria for the role.

3. At the shortlisting meeting the Panel will assess applications against the eligibility criteria and decide which candidates have best met the criteria, who should be recommended for interview. Ministers will then be consulted on the Panel’s recommended shortlist.

4. Once the shortlist has been agreed by Ministers, you will be advised (by e-mail) whether you have been shortlisted. Those shortlisted will be invited to an interview.

5. The Panel will meet again to interview candidates and determine who is appointable to the role. The Panel may invite you to make a brief presentation at the start of the interview and will go on to question you about your skills and experience, including asking specific questions to assess whether you meet the criteria set out for the post. The Panel will also explore with you any potential conflicts of interest or any other issues arising from your personal and professional history which may impact on an appointment decision.

6. Details of the panel’s assessment of interviewed candidates are provided to Ministers, including whether they have judged a candidate to be appointable to the role. It is then for Ministers to determine merit and decide who should be appointed. In some circumstances, Ministers may choose not to appoint any candidates and re-run the competition.

7. Ministers may choose to meet with candidates before deciding the outcome. Candidates should therefore be prepared for a short time gap between interview and a final appointment decision being made. Candidates who have been interviewed will be kept informed of progress.

8. Once the decision on the appointment has been made, interviewed candidates will be advised of the outcome of their application, including whom they may approach for feedback. Successful candidates will be issued with their Terms & Conditions and a letter of appointment should they agree to take up the position.

Further information about appointments, including tips on applying, can be found on our guidance pages on gov.uk.

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

• Matthew Campbell-Hill – DPTAC Chair
• Liz Wilson/Alison Franks – Deputy Directors, Accessible and Inclusive Travel, DfT
• TBC – Independent Panel Member

Advisory Assessment Panels (AAP) are chosen by ministers to assist them in their decision-making. These include a departmental official and an independent member. For competitions recruiting non-executive members of a board (apart from the Chair), the panel will usually include a representative from the public body concerned.

AAP’s perform a number of functions, including agreeing an assessment strategy with ministers, undertaking sifting, carrying out interviews in line with the advertised criteria and deciding objectively who meets the published selection criteria for the role before recommending to ministers which candidates they find appointable. It is then for the minister to decide who to appoint to the role.

Eligibility criteria

In general, you should have the right to work in the UK to be eligible to apply for a public appointment.

There are a small number of specialist roles that are not open to non-British citizens. Any nationality requirements will be specified in the vacancy details.

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. 

You cannot be considered for a public appointment if:

• you are disqualified from acting as a company director  (under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986);

• have an unspent conviction on your criminal record;

• your estate has been sequestrated in Scotland or you enter into a debt arrangement programme under Part 1 of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 17) as the debtor or have, under Scots law, granted a trust deed for creditors.

When you apply, you should declare if:

• you are, or have been, bankrupt or you have made an arrangement with a creditor at any point, including the dates of this. 

• you are subject to a current police investigation.

You must inform the sponsor department if, during the application process, your circumstances change in respect of any of the above points. 

When you apply you should also declare any relevant interests, highlighting any that you think may call into question your ability to properly discharge the responsibilities of the role you are applying for. You should also declare any other matters which may mean you may not be able to meet the requirements of the Code of Conduct of Board Members (see Outside interests and reputational issues section below)

If you need further advice, please contact DfTPATApplications@dft.gov.uk. 

Security clearance

The successful candidate will be required to undertake Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks in line with the Civil Service guidelines. Additional Security Clearance may also be required for certain roles. However, where this applies, candidates will be notified during the appointment process. Further information on National Security Vetting can be found on the Gov.uk website here.

Additional information for candidates

Equality and diversity

We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. Boards of public bodies are most effective when they reflect the diversity of views of the society they serve and this is an important part of the Government’s levelling up agenda.

We collect data about applicants’ characteristics and backgrounds, including information about people’s educational and professional backgrounds, so that we can make sure we are attracting a broad range of people to these roles and that our selection processes are fair for everyone. Without this information, it makes it difficult to see if our outreach is working, if the application process is having an unfair impact on certain groups and whether changes are making a positive difference.

When you submit your application, your responses are collected by the Cabinet Office and the government department(s) managing your application. The data is used to produce management information about the diversity of applicants. You can select “prefer not to say” to any question you do not wish to answer. The information you provide will not be seen by the Advisory Assessment Panel who review applications against the advertised criteria and conduct interviews.

Disability confident

We are a member of the Government’s Disability Confident scheme. We use the Disability Confident scheme symbol, along with other like-minded employers, to show our commitment to good practice in employing people with a disability. The scheme helps recruit and retain disabled people. 

Indicating that you wish your application to be considered under the scheme will in no way prejudice your application.

The Department for Transport values and promotes diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity for all and to the appointment of disabled people. We will select the disabled candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the role. ‘Best meet’ is defined as demonstrating strong examples of all essential criteria.

When you apply you will have the opportunity to select if you would like your application considered under this scheme.

Reasonable adjustments

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to make sure applicants with disabilities, physical or mental health conditions, or other needs are not substantially disadvantaged when applying for public appointments. This can include changing the recruitment process to enable people who wish to apply to do so.

Some examples of common changes are:

• ensuring that application forms are available in different or accessible formats;
• making adaptations to interview locations;
• allowing candidates to present their skills and experience in a different way;
• giving additional detailed information on the selection / interview process in advance to allow candidates time to prepare themselves;
• allowing support workers, for example sign language interpreters;
• making provision for support animals to attend.

When you apply you will have the opportunity to request reasonable adjustments to the application process.

Principles of public life

Holders of public office are expected to adhere to and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life. These are:

1. Selflessness - Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.
2. Integrity - Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.
3. Objectivity - Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.
4. Accountability - Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.
5. Openness - Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.
6. Honesty - Holders of public office should be truthful.
7. Leadership - Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour and treat others with respect. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

Code of conduct for board members

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. In support of this, all non-executive board members of UK public bodies must abide by the principles set out in the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. The Code sets out the standards expected from those who serve on the boards of UK public bodies and will form part of your terms and conditions of appointment.

Management of outside interests and consideration of reputational issues

Holders of public office are expected to adhere and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life and the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. Before you apply you should consider carefully: 

• any outside interests that you may have, such as shares you may hold in a company providing services to government; 
• any possible reputational issues arising from your past actions or public statements that you have made; 
• and/or - any political roles you hold or political campaigns you have supported; 

which may call into question your ability to do the role you are applying for.

You will need to answer relevant questions in relation to these points when making an application. Many conflicts of interest can be satisfactorily resolved and declaring a potential conflict does not prevent you from being interviewed. If you are shortlisted for an interview, the panel will discuss any potential conflicts with you during that interview, including any proposals you may have to mitigate them and record that in their advice to ministers. Alongside your own declaration, we will conduct appropriate checks, as part of which we will consider anything in the public domain related to your conduct or professional capacity. This may include searches of previous public statements and social media, blogs or any other publicly available information. The successful candidate(s) may be required to give up any conflicting interests and their other business and financial interests may be published in line with organisational policies. 

Details of declared political activity will be published when the appointment is announced, as required by the Governance Code (political activity is not a bar to appointment, but must be declared).

Status of appointment

As this is an office holder appointment, you will not become a member of the Civil Service. You will not be subject to the provisions of employment law.

Appointment and tenure of office

Appointments are for the term set out in this advert, with the possibility of re-appointment for a further term, at the discretion of Ministers.  Any re-appointment is subject to satisfactory annual appraisals of performance during the first term in the post. There is no automatic presumption of reappointment; each case should be considered on its own merits, taking into account a number of factors including, but not restricted to, the diversity of the current board and its balance of skills and experience. In most cases, the total time served in post will not exceed more than two terms or serve in any one post for more than ten years

Remuneration, allowances and abatement

Remuneration for this role is treated as employment income and will be subject to tax and National Insurance contributions, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid. 

You can claim reimbursement for reasonable travel and subsistence costs which are properly and necessarily incurred on official business, in line with the travel and subsistence policy and rates for the organisation to which you are applying. However these payments are taxable as earnings and will be subject to tax and national insurance, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid. 

Pension and redundancy

This is an office holder appointment and does not attract any benefits under any Civil Service Pension Scheme. You will not be eligible for redundancy pay as you are not an employee. No other arrangements have been made for compensation upon the end of your term of appointment because an office holder who is appointed for a limited duration would have no expectation of serving beyond that period.

Application feedback

We will notify you of the status of your application. We regret that we are only able to offer detailed feedback to candidates who have been unsuccessful at the interview stage.

How to complain

We aim to process all applications as quickly as possible and to treat all applicants with courtesy.

Please contact the DfT public appointments team in the first instance if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application at (DfTPublicAppointments@dft.gov.uk). They will acknowledge your complaint upon receipt and respond within 20 working days.

How to complain to Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA)

If you are not content with the appointing department’s response you may wish to further complain to the Commissioner at publicappointments@csc.gov.uk.Further information on how the Commissioner handles complaints can be found on the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ website https://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/regulating-appointments/investigating-complaints/

Data protection

The Cabinet Office will use your data in line with our privacy policy.

DfT’s privacy policy has more information about your rights in relation to your personal data, how to complain and how to contact the Data Protection Officer. You can view it at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-transport/about/personal-information-charter.

To receive this information by telephone or post, contact us on 0300 330 3000 or write to Data Protection Officer, Department for Transport, 3rd Floor, One Priory Square, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 1EA.

Contact details

DfTPATApplications@dft.gov.uk

Attachments

• Candidate Pack