The Tower Hamlets SAB is a partnership body in which statutory and voluntary sector organisations work together to ensure that adults at risk of any form of neglect or abuse are effectively helped and protected. We have a central commitment in everything we do to Making Safeguarding Personal – making sure that we place the individual at the heart of safeguarding.

The Board is seeking to recruit two independent Lay Members who will bring an independent personal and community perspective and challenge to its work. The role will be to bring a ‘grass roots’ perspective to safeguarding; to think as a member of the community; to play a part in the oversight and scrutiny of decisions and policies made by the Board. Their main duty will be to attend the Board meetings and other sub-committees as appropriate. Board meetings are held quarterly for 3 hours on week days. Lay members may also want to attend other sub-group meetings which are usually 2-3 hours in duration during working weeks.

Lay members must have an understanding of adult welfare and safeguarding – this does not necessarily mean a professional qualification. An ability to communicate effectively within meetings and confidence to ask questions and challenge people in a constructive way is essential. A commitment to improving outcomes for adults in Suffolk and to the values and vision established by Tower Hamlets SAB. A commitment to equality and diversity within their own life experience and in promoting good outcomes.

Lay members will be appointed following an interview process and subject to statutory checks and references including an enhanced DBS check and suitable references. They will also be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement before taking up the role.

Tower Hamlets vision for our borough is that: people are aspirational, independent and have equal access to opportunities; we are a borough that our residents are proud of and love to live in; and we are a dynamic, outcomes-based council using digital innovation and partnership working to respond to the changing needs of our borough. We want people who aspire to our TOWER values: Together; Open; Willing; Excellent; Respect.

Tower Hamlets has a zero-tolerance approach to, and works to eradicate, all forms of discrimination on the basis of race, sex, disability, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital status, status as a civil partner, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy and maternity and looks to employ a diverse workforce representative of those groups. We recognise that people can also be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. 

We are a Disability Confident Employer, which means applicants who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the post are guaranteed an interview. Care experience has also been adopted by the Council as an additional protected characteristic.

We welcome applicants interested in flexible working arrangements and also applicants who live in the borough. 

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