The Community Brokerage Network (CBN) was formally established in 2012 and operates as a community interest company with an asset lock in place. Operating across North, South and East Ayrshire, CBN provides community brokerage to individuals, some of whom will have an individual budget allocated from social work to plan, find, and secure the right kind of support they need to have the best lives possible, making use of both informal and formal support options and connecting people into community activities, groups, and facilities.

The role

We are looking for Community Brokers to support people in a range of ways and undertake a variety of tasks, both with and for people when their circumstances require it. The role is person-centred and will vary from individual to individual and reflect the amount of help someone is seeking. Some people look for little assistance whereas others look for much more help and this flexibility is core to good community brokerage practice.

We are looking for new Board Members to join our Board at the Community Brokerage Network.

Our Board Members are collectively responsible for the governance of the organisation, providing strategic advice and constructive challenge to the Operations Manager and their Leadership Team. All to ensure that we work to make a lasting difference to people across Ayrshire.

About Us

The Community Brokerage Network was formally established in 2012 and operates as a community interest company with an asset lock in place. Initially it operated in East Ayrshire but has in recent years expanded to also cover North and South Ayrshire. CBN provides community brokerage to individuals, some of whom will have an individual budget allocated from social work to plan, find and secure the right kind of support they need to have the best lives possible lives making use of both informal and formal support options and connecting people into community activities, groups, and facilities.

About the role

Board Members play a unique role in delivery of our mission. They are collectively responsible for the governance of the organisation. They set the strategic direction for the organisation, ensuring alignment to our values, and are responsible for setting organisational policy, defining targets, agreeing the financial plan, and evaluating performance.

We are currently looking for Board Members with expertise or a background in any of the below areas:

• Communications and Engagement
• Strategic HR and organisational change
• Fundraising

As a Board Member, you’ll be required to attend all Board meetings (four Board meetings and one or more Board calls per year), in addition to a Board Strategy Day.

As a CBN Board Member, you will:

• Act in CBN’s best interests, ensuring the charity complies with its governance responsibilities, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations, and ensure the effective management of resources and of risk.
• Provide support and constructive challenge to the Operations Manager to ensure the delivery of CBN’s mission and implementation of its strategic plan.
• Bring personal experience and professional expertise to the Board; contribute to key strategic debates within the organisation and to specific department and cross-team initiatives; and help to strengthen Board governance.
• Help ensure that CBN continues to maintain the highest safeguarding standards in line with legislation, statutory guidance and best practice, and organisational policy and procedure.
• Represent CBN at key functions, including fundraising and profile-raising events.

Terms of Appointment:

This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

Board Members are appointed for an initial term of 2 years, after which Board Members can be reappointed for two further terms of 3 years each, up to a maximum of 8 years.

The role

We are looking for an experienced leader who can lead the strategic direction and operational performance of The Community Brokerage Network across Ayrshire. You will have the chance to shape and deliver a refreshed operation and lead an exciting strategy. We are looking for someone who shares our values and our passion, these are important to us.

About us

The Community Brokerage Network was formally established in 2012 and operates as a community interest company with an asset lock in place. Initially it operated in East Ayrshire but has in recent years expanded to also cover North and South Ayrshire. CBN provides community brokerage to individuals, some of whom will have an individual budget allocated from social work to plan, find and secure the right kind of support they need to have the best lives possible lives making use of both informal and formal support options and connecting people into community activities, groups, and facilities.

JOB PURPOSE

• Champion and lead CBN operations throughout Ayrshire.
• Provide leadership to a team of between 5 and 10 Brokers in their daily operational duties.
• Align, support and engage with, as appropriate, the Brokerage Framework for Scotland
• Act as the single point of contact to The Board.
• Endorse and act in accordance with the values of CBN, ensuring that the support is person-led and as far as possible put people in control of their SDS budget.
• Champion the appropriate promotion of CBN to ensure potential users of the services are aware of the service we offer.
• Offer support to staff through regular supervision sessions.
• Provide inclusive leadership which builds on the assets of fellow employees and actively includes their opinions in decision making.
• Influence service outcomes so that expectations of the people CBN support and stakeholders are met or exceeded at all levels.
• Manage intake and closure of cases via a single point of entry.
• Identify areas for continual improvement and growth of the CBN service.
• Provide a variety of robust reports for key stakeholders including CBN Board and Scottish Government

MAIN OPERATIONAL DUTIES

• Monthly Meetings: 1-2-1’s with all staff/peer meetings/planning meetings.
• Maintain an understanding of casework by holding a case load at an appropriate level.
• Ensure that communication with all staff is encouraged and supported to provide opportunity for peer support and learning.
• Provide professional advice and support to staff on issues arising from brokerage support.
• Ensure that all roles are clearly defined, and staff operate to high level of good practice, acknowledging issues such as practice boundaries.
• Manage complaints/problems in line with CBN policy.
• Source promotional materials – conferences/promo events etc.
• Be main point of contact with Health and Social Care Partnerships to ensure referral processes work well and are always maintained.
• Develop training and induction program for brokers, sourcing and accessing appropriate training for brokers.
• Provide training to staff within HSCPs where required.
• Build relations between CBN and other third and independent sector organisations in the area.
• Write and present regular operational reports to Board.
• Responsible for managing budgets – promotional work/training and assets. Liaise with accountant.
• Operation and oversight of back office/website and emails.
• Keep up to date on legislation and policies surrounding social care, which may impact how CBN operates.

KEY SKILLS

• Leadership skills: Ability to motivate staff and volunteers with the personal drive and energy to achieve this.
• Advocacy skills: Ability to effectively promote the aims and outcomes of CBN appropriately to relevant stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal skills: Ability to build relationships with a variety of people, from service users and staff members to Board Members and opinion formers.
• Financial acumen: Ability to set and operate a budget and, develop fundraising / social enterprise activities that provide a surplus for the organisation.
• Computer literate in MS Office including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Proactive self-starter, able to work unsupervised within agreed timeframes.

EXPERIENCE

• Managing a third sector service, including management and leadership of staff and budgets.
• Effective staff management, including managing performance and development.
• Driving continuous quality and performance improvements and using quality assurance systems, including service user participation to improve services.
• Developing effective partnerships working across a wide range of agencies.
• Successfully resolving conflict between staff or partner agencies/stakeholders
• Developing, implementing, and updating relevant policies and procedures.
• Building on current strengths and initiatives and ensure a smooth transition that delivers continuous improvement.
• Implementing, managing, and evaluating change in a collaborative and sensitive way.