Bournemouth LINk Stewardship Group: Terms of Reference

The Stewardship Group of the LINk is a group of people with a range of skills, knowledge and experience, which when combined, can be used to guide the LINk effectively. The Stewardship Group will act in accordance with its agreed Terms of Reference and be accountable to the LINk for its activities.

The Stewardship Group provides the Bournemouth LINk with its governance, separate from the LINk’s key roles of direct public involvement, obtaining and passing on views, monitoring and reviewing services. This arrangement ensures that a small group of people are not put in the position of, or being seen as, speaking on behalf of the community of Bournemouth.

The Group’s key role is to support the activities of the wider LINk, not to lead it or participate in its main activities. The Group is responsible for ensuring that

• The Bournemouth LINk’s purpose and values are agreed by the people of Bournemouth
• It, and the LINk, operates in an open and transparent manner
• It, and the LINk, complies with the law
• It, and the LINk, respects the role of the Host staff
• All LINk activities comply with its statutory obligations and published governance arrangements
• The legal obligation of the LINk in respect of preparing and publishing an annual report is complied with
• An annual meeting is held each year in May, at which the Annual Report, Annual Work Plan, key policies, strategies and procedures are agreed
• Quarterly events are held, in different locations in the Borough, at which the Work Plan will be reviewed and the Stewardship Group and Priorities Panel will present reports of their work
• It develops and sustains the LINk’s public engagement systems / structures
• It maintains budgetary control of the LINk’s expenditure
• LINk projects are delivered on time, within budget and to the highest standard possible
• It develops and keeps under review strategies, policies and systems to enable effective partnership working between the LINk and health and social care organisations and with the community and voluntary sector in Bournemouth.
• LINk reports are sent to the appropriate statutory bodies and responses disseminated to the LINk
• The legal obligations placed on statutory bodies are complied with in respect of:
  • Supplying information to the LINk
  • Responding to LINk reports.
• It participates in the performance management arrangements agreed by Bournemouth Borough Council - relating to the Host’s contract with the Council
• It puts in place and monitors a system for the appointment of individuals to be part of the LINk’s authorised panel of representatives (the Visiting Team) and LINk representation on outside bodies (the Panel of External Representatives).

Members of the Group will:

• Be impartial and not become involved in the prioritisation of issues brought to the LINk or directly engaged in Task and Finish Groups.
• Not directly engage in LINk activities or raise issues that should be the province of the LINk.

The Group receives appropriate administrative and professional support from the Host Organisation in accordance with a Working Agreement, agreed by both parties.

Commitment: 

The term of office for a member of the Stewardship Group is 12 months.

As a general guide, membership of the Stewardship Group involves up to 10 hours per month, including

• Group meetings – once per month
• Quarterly LINk events
• Review day – one per six months

As individuals, Group members are expected to:

• Be interested in and committed to the development of the LINk
• Understand and be committed to the LINk’s policies and values and equal opportunities
• Be prepared to participate in governance working parties or other policy groups set up by the Stewardship Group
• Regularly attend meetings of the Stewardship Group
• Support all decisions once they have been reached by the Stewardship Group
• Be willing to participate in training events
• Accept the time commitment involved in their full participation as a Stewardship Group member

As members of the Stewardship Group they will:

• Ensure that funds received by the LINk are properly managed and accounted for
• Keep under review the LINk’s overall policy and direction and contribute to its development
• Ensure that, given the constraints on resources, the LINk is meeting its aims
• Take a long term view of how the LINk should develop
• Ensure that the Group responsibilities which are delegated to individuals are carried out.

Roles and Responsibilities

General abilities

The LINk has a principle of ensuring that the diversity of the area is covered, that all have an equal opportunity to voice their views and take part in LINk activity. It is therefore important that fresh and different perspectives are drawn upon to govern the LINk and be inclusive in the way it fulfils its purpose. For this to be achieved all members of the Group sign up to these principles but at least one member will have experience in addressing equality and diversity issues and a good understanding of the diversity of Bournemouth.

Members of the Stewardship Group will have a commitment to the following principles:

• Community Engagement and Inclusion – In line with Bournemouth LINk’s purpose to provide a voice for the community of Bournemouth, members of the Group need a high level of commitment to the principles of patient and public involvement, especially enabling the involvement of disadvantaged groups. This includes having the time to contribute to the work of the Group and the ability to promote the LINk and encourage further involvement from a wide cross section of the population of Bournemouth.
• Team working - The ability to contribute as an individual and collectively to the work of the Group and the LINk generally.
• Influencing and communication – Being proactive, having the ability to gain support and influence through good communication skills. 
• Contribution to planning the future - Having the ability to think ahead, not only identifying problems but also providing solutions.
• Holding to account - As well as the ability to accept accountability and probe and challenge constructively all members of the Group will promote public accountability in health and social care through open and transparent communication with commissioners and providers.

Where can I get more information?

For more information you can download the following documents:

• Bournemouth LINk Stewardship Group: Terms of Reference (this is the above information in .pdf format)
• Bournemouth LINk Stewardship Group: Roles and Responsibilities
• LINk structure diagram

These are in .pdf format. If you would like them in another format, please let us know by emailing Chris.Wakefield@helpandcare.org.uk.

Sounds good! Where do I apply?

For more information, please contact Chris Wakefield on Chris.Wakefield@helpandcare.org.uk.