County Learning Disability Partnership Board
The county board meets 4 times each year. Approximately 25 to 30 people attend and contribute towards the work the boards do. Learning disability reps and a carer rep from each of the local boards attend these meetings.
Local boards
There are also 3 boards across the county:
They meet every 2 months.
Be a representative
The local partnership boards are looking for new representatives.
- Do you have a learning disability?
- Do you care for someone with a learning disability?
- Are you moving from children's services into adult services?
If so, would you be interested in representing all people with learning disabilities?
You can find out more about how to get involved in your local partnership board.
Help for learning disability representatives
Learning disability representatives are trained for the roles and receive support to attend meetings and carry out their rep work.
This helps to make sure people with learning disabilities are fully included in their local partnership boards activities.
We provide a 'top tips' toolkit for even better partnership boards. This toolkit has been put together by elected representatives from partnership boards across Derbyshire and you can find them attached to this page.
If you'd like to come to your local learning disability partnership board or you would like more information about becoming a rep then please email tell.adultcare@derbyshire.gov.uk or tel: 01629 531307.
Help for family carer representatives
We work with Derbyshire Carers Association to provide a network coordinator to work with and help elected family carers.
Our aim is to help family carers fully and effectively take part in their local partnership board activities. You can find the contact for your local Derbyshire Carers area office on their website.
Carers in Derbyshire has been created by us and a partnership of family carers, health services, voluntary sector organisations. It provides information for carers including support groups and drop-in centres.
Role of the chairperson of the county board
The independent chairperson will help with and maintain the work of the Learning Disability County Partnership Board, and provide leadership and strategic support.
Independent chair job description
The independent chair will support and sustain the work of the Learning Disability County Partnership Board, and provide governance leadership and strategic support. Specific responsibilities include the following:
Leadership, governance, and oversight
- being a trusted advisor to the assistant director of adult services as they develop and implement the strategic plan for the provision of services for people with a learning disability
- developing and managing relationships and communicating with partners, and other stakeholders
- reviewing outcomes and measures evaluating the impact of the work of the partnership board
- assisting in recruiting and training board members
- periodically discussing board members' roles and helping them assess and develop their performance
- planning, presiding over, and facilitating board meetings, supporting the co-chair during meetings and partnering with the assistant director of adult services to ensure that board resolutions are carried out
- acting as an ambassador for the partnership board and people with a learning disability
- ensuring the board's commitment to a diverse board that reflects the communities it serves
Board terms
The Learning Disability County Partnership Board Chair will serve a 2-year term and will be eligible for re-appointment for one additional term. The 2-year term of service will commence with appointment in March. Board meetings will be held every 3 months, unless changed by a subsequent board decision.
Qualifications
This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is passionate about the inclusion and enhancement of whole life experiences of people with a learning disability. Ideal candidates will have the following qualifications:
- experience of leadership in business, government, philanthropy, or the non-profit sector
- demonstrated success as a board member or board chair
- track record of building credibility in the community
- a commitment to and understanding of the County Partnership Board's beneficiaries, preferably based on experience
- diplomacy skills and a natural affinity for cultivating relationships and persuading, convening, facilitating, and building consensus among diverse individuals
- excellent written and oral communication skills coupled with an affinity for public speaking
- personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a passion for improving the lives of people with a learning disability
Service as the independent chair of the Learning Disability County Partnership Board is remunerated at the same annual rate as elected family carers and self advocates.