Background

As set out in a Memorandum of Understanding, signed in October 2021 by respective VCSE and Integrated Care System (ICS) leads, the following opportunity will help to embed the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector within the Integrated Care System for Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.

In brief, this new role has been created to help elevate the voice and influence of the VCSE within key strategic and decision-making forums within the ICS. The role is hosted within the VCSE but will be embedded in the ICS communications and engagement team, therefore benefiting from support within the ICS as well as key VCSE leads.

Scale and Scope of the VCSE

The VCSE sector for Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin is large and diverse with excellent links to the people we serve. At a time when change is in motion for the Integrated Care System, the VCSE sector brings innovation, flexibility and reach that will help our system establish a ‘new normal’ and work to achieve shared ambitions to best meet the needs of our population.

A new, equal partnership between the VCSE and the ICS has been widely welcomed by system leads and it is acknowledged that this new way of working could hold opportunities to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities for the people of Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.

The Memorandum of Understanding was the beginning of this integration process. The next step will be to develop a VCSE Alliance which will provide strategic representation from the VCSE sector and will be embedded into the governance of the new Integrated Care Board (ICB). This will be one of the main objectives for the postholder – to facilitate this process and look to effectively co-ordinate the two sectors to widen representation of the VCSE, to what is currently seen within governance structures.

Current Landscape

In Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, we are fortunate to have two well-established, active and diverse VCSE networks bringing considerable resource as well as influence. There are over 2,000 registered VCSE organisations in the county and over 1,800 small, unregistered community groups and organisations. The sector is a significant part of the local economy, employing approximately 3% of the workforce, with between 21% and 30% of the VCSE already providing health and wellbeing services.

In the development of this closer working relationship, facilitated by this dedicated role, our health and social care system has the potential through the VCSE to connect more closely with its populations, especially those facing inequalities and those which are harder to reach. An effective partnership will improve this crucial representation and provide us with a better breadth of view for the county in order to make a real difference to those most in need.

To find out more about this exciting opportunity, please contact Rachael Jones, Senior Communications and Engagement Manager at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin at: rachael.jones31@nhs.net.

Please also read the Job Description and Personal Specification for more details.

To apply please send your CV and a covering letter to: manager@meetingpointhouse.co.uk.