Hampshire & Isle of Wight Student Council Member - Role Descriptor

Student council members play an important role in ensuring that the student body is considered as an integral part of the workforce within Hampshire and the Isle of Wight (HIoW). Hearing directly from current pre-registration healthcare students and apprentices about what it is like to train within the HIoW Integrated Care System (ICS) and enabling the sharing of best practice and suggestions for improvement will contribute not only to ongoing work to improve attrition rates but will foster a sense of belonging for learners wider than their Higher Education Institute (HEI).

 You will work alongside students and apprentices from other professions, staff from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board, HEIs and care provider organisations within the ICS. You may also have the opportunity to contribute to regional projects and meetings.

 Follow this link to a Kings Fund explainer about what an ICS is https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/audio-video/how-does-nhs-in-england-work

Typical opportunities for Student Council Members will include:

 Advocating for your profession:

·       Attending bi-monthly ICS student council meetings to discuss key issues for students and identify areas for development, recognising and sharing good practice to enhance the current practice placement experience of learners.

·       Opportunity to network and share good practice with student council members across the South East region

·       Representing the student council at key stakeholder meetings across the ICS, based on the objectives and areas of focus set by the student council and priorities identified by the ICB, care provider organisations and the NHS England Wessex Quality Team.

 Acting as a key communicator:

·      Creating content for social media channels to share key messages from the student council and seek views and feedback of the wider student population.

·      Establish links with HEI student representatives to share and receive information.

·     Establish links with Trade Union student representatives to share and receive information.

·      Close the feedback loop with students who engage with you.

·      Writing reflective blogs and opinion pieces.

You should possess the following personal qualities:

 ·       Self-motivation

·       Confidence

·       Good negotiating skills

·       Excellent communication skills

·       Positive & professional role model

·       Open & honest attitude

Benefits:

·       A comprehensive leadership and coaching programme.

·       Development of skills, increased confidence and an excellent understanding of the wider regional and national healthcare systems focused on maintaining the pipeline for future workforce.

·       Gain practice hours from meetings, development sessions and projects (dependant on successful negotiation with academic tutor/practice supervisor).

·       Opportunity to receive a discretionary payment in recognition of your contribution to the student council and reimbursement for essential expenses incurred during your activities. (Some exclusions apply).

·       Opportunities to lead and be involved in the development of new local or regionwide initiatives.

·       Enhanced CV, professional networks and employment prospects.

·       Networking with students and professionals across Hampshire & the Isle of Wight, the South East region and beyond.

·       Meet new people, share ideas, influence senior healthcare leaders and drive quality of healthcare.

·       Gain a deeper understanding of the impact of student voice on health and social care.

Training:

All student council members will receive an induction to the role. This will include an opportunity to meet existing council members, learn about the structure of the ICS, discuss expectations, share hopes and fears, learn about using social media in your role and more.

How to apply:

• We welcome applications from student/apprentice nurses, trainee nursing associates, student/apprentice midwives, student/apprentice allied health professionals, student/apprentice healthcare scientists and pharmacy students who have practice placements in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
• Students from all stages of their course are welcome to apply, however if you are due to complete your course before the 12-month term of council member is complete you will be expected to step off of the council at the point of course completion.
•  To apply for the role of Student Council Member, please provide answers to the questions in this application form. If you would prefer to provide answers via an audio/ video recording or in a meeting with the ICS lead for the student council and current council member, please email katie.webb@hhft.nhs.uk to request this.
•  All applications will be reviewed and scored by a panel comprising the ICS lead for the student council and current council members. Places will be allocated to the highest scoring applications.
• The document ‘Terms of reference HIoW student council’ sets out how the seats will be allocated. Two seats are protected for students/apprentices from a global majority heritage. If you would like to be considered for one of theses seats, please indicate this on the application form.
•  All applicants will be contacted to advise them on the outcome of their application. Places will be confirmed once the applicants personal tutor or programme lead confirms their support. Confirmation of support from employers will also be required for apprentices.
•  If you are unsuccessful in your application, you will be invited to register an interest in supporting the work of the council in other ways.
•  Please be aware that the expectation is that unless you have agreement from your HEI that you can claim for some practice placement hours for student council activities, the time spent must be in your own time. Apprentices cannot claim the discretionary payment if council activities are carried out during their hours of employment.