Fee-paid Specialist Members, Mental Health (Health, Education and Social Care) Pre-Application Seminar 2024

Health, Education and Social Care Chamber (First-tier Tribunal)News

The Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) will be launching a selection exercise on 23 April 2024 to recruit 50 Fee-paid Specialist Lay Members assigned to the First-tier Tribunal, Health, Education and Social Care Chamber (Mental Health).

The seminar

For those interested in applying for a role, the Judicial Office is organising a pre-application seminar that will take place online via Microsoft Teams on Monday 8 April (5-6pm).

The seminar aims to help applicants be better prepared to make an application and to receive up-to-date guidance and advice on the JAC’s selection process. As well as a JAC representative, you will also hear from a Tribunal Judge and a specialist lay member to explain the role.

Who should attend?

The JAC would welcome applications from those who have substantial experience of educational, childcare, health, or social care matters. For further information on the eligibility criteria, see the selection exercise information page.

Applications are particularly welcome from under-represented groups (women, ethnic minority candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and disabled candidates). Training is provided for all appointed members. Visit the judiciary website for more information on Tribunal Members.

What does a specialist lay member do?

The duties of a specialist member include attending a pre-hearing discussion about the issues to be determined with the panel on the day of the hearing.

Duties also include listening to all the evidence, taking the lead in questioning witnesses and in particular the patient’s care coordinator or social worker in the relation to the patient’s social circumstances and community care to ensure evidence is gathered on the outstanding issues between the parties, identified by the panel prior to and during the hearing. Also, to participate fully in the deliberations and decision-making process after the hearing has concluded. This includes contributing to the drafting of the decision, and responding promptly with comments, using secure email when the judge seeks observations on a draft decision.

Sign up/queries

To sign up for the recruitment campaign alerts, visit the JAC website.

For any queries regarding the pre-application seminar, email: JudicialHROutreachEvents@judiciary.uk

For any queries regarding the recruitment campaign/selection exercise, contact the selection exercise team at: 199lmftthesc@judicialappointments.gov.uk

Please note that although the Judicial Office will be running the pre-application seminar, the actual recruitment campaign is being done and led by the Judicial Appointments Commission.

If you’d like to register for the seminar, visit the Judicial Careers Portal.