SPƵվ is currently recruiting Local Advisory Panel members. If you have knowledge and experience linked to any of the local or regional areas listed on this page please consider the role opportunities below and register your interest by completing the form.
Recruitment for these roles is ongoing.
If you would like to discuss LAP opportunities in any part of England or require any assistance in completing the form please contact [email protected]
Regional governance in England is delivered by a series of Local Advisory Panels.
The primary purpose of a panel is to support SPƵվ to achieve the full breadth of its charitable purpose, reaching the hardest to reach learners and responding to local needs.
Each panel supports and enables the engagement of learners and members in their locality, striving to hear from and respond to the full diversity of our learner cohort and the wider communities which would benefit from the learning we are able to offer. LAPs help SPƵվ ensure that local insights are part of decision-making locally and go through to the highest levels of the organisation. The panels advise the Board of Trustees and report to them via the SPƵվ Council.
We welcome expressions of interest from individuals about LAP membership at any time.
1. North East
2. Tees Valley
3. Liverpool City Region
4. Greater Manchester
5. North Yorkshire & York
6. South Yorkshire
7. West Yorkshire
8. East Midlands
9. West Midlands
10. Cambridge & Peterborough
11. Norfolk
12. Suffolk
13. Greater London
14. West of England (Combined Authority)
Local Advisory Panel Terms of Reference and Local Representative Body Statement of Representation
Date of approval by SPƵվ Council: 21 June 2023
Date of approved by the SPƵվ Board of Trustees: 13 July 2023
Purpose of Local Advisory Panels
Each Local Advisory Panel (“LAP”) is constituted in accordance with SPƵվ’s Regulations, section 5.
The primary purpose of the LAPs is to support SPƵվ in ensuring that it achieves the full breadth of its charitable purpose, reaching the hardest to reach learners and responding to local needs. In doing so, each LAP will:
Through informed assessment of SPƵվ’s relationship to learners, the wider community, and its understanding of local issues, LAPs will contribute effectively to the success and impact of SPƵվ regionally and nationally.
LAPs shall maintain structures and procedures that support and enable the engagement of learners and Association Members in their locality, including those Association Members who are not associated with any local representative body (e.g., “branch,” “local association," “network”).
LAPs are advisory to the Board of Trustees and report to them via the SPƵվ Council.
Composition & Appointment of Members
Each LAP shall have an appropriate balance of skills, experience, backgrounds, and knowledge to advise and to make informed recommendations via the SPƵվ Council to the Board of Trustees on carrying out the full breadth of SPƵվ’s charitable mission within their designated locality, their locality’s effectiveness in identifying and meeting local needs, and representing the interests of SPƵվ learners, ensuring they have a voice in decision-making at all levels across the Association.
It is recommended that LAPs are comprised of no more than 10 members but should be of sufficient size to ensure the LAP can effectively carry out its purpose and responsibilities. In general terms, each LAP should include a mix of:
Appointments to the LAP shall be based on relevant skills and experience as determined from time to time by the Board of Trustees.
LAP members shall be recommended by a recruitment panel comprising of the LAP Chair, Head of Education, Governance representative and an additional SPƵվ Council representative. Formal appointments shall be made by the SPƵվ Council with guidance from the Nominations Committee. All appointments will follow the SPƵվ safe recruitment policy and procedures.
Members of the LAP are appointed to a term of up to four years, renewable once for a maximum term of service of no more than eight years. During the term of their appointment, they will be expected to hold a basic DBS clearance, to abide by the Governance Code of Conduct, and to participate in periodic training, skills audits, and effectiveness reviews as may be required from time to time.
Members of the LAP shall elect from among themselves a Lead Volunteer and Deputy Lead Volunteer.
Representation on SPƵվ Council
SPƵվ Council is a committee of the Board of Trustees having functions and powers as set out in SPƵվ’s Articles of Association. It is SPƵվ’s chief stakeholder body, representing to the Trustees the interests of learners, Association Members, and others in the communities SPƵվ serves. Nomination and selection of LAP representatives on the Council is made with consideration of ensuring geographical balance across the membership of SPƵվ Council.
Local Representative Bodies (“LRBs”)
LRBs (e.g., “branches,” “local associations,” “networks”) are self-organising groups of learners and/or volunteers and/or Association Members who may unite around a common interest or set of interests. LRBs wishing to provide feedback, raise concerns, or otherwise ensure organised communication and engagement with an LAP may elect to seek recognition by an LAP.
LRBs seeking recognition by an LAP must present and maintain a statement of purpose and at least one named contact. Such statements and contacts shall be notified by the LAP to the Director of Corporate Governance.
LRBs sit outside SPƵվ’s formal governance structure. Thus, they may have but do not require formal structures, and may change, dissolve, or merge according to the needs and interests of the group. If recognised by an LAP, however, such changes must be notified along with any updates to the statement of purpose and named contacts. SPƵվ reserves the right to unilaterally withdraw designation for any LRB if it deems there to be an inconsistency with SPƵվ’s charitable purpose or values which could endanger or undermine the integrity or reputation of SPƵվ, or if the LRB has been inactive for more than 12 months. The withdraw designation of an LRB is within the power of the Board of Trustees, on the recommendation of the LAP wherever practicable.
Meetings
LAPs shall normally meet termly (i.e., three times per year). At the discretion of the LAP, additional meetings may be arranged for specific purpose. These meetings will be coordinated with annual planning cycles for budgeting and curriculum development, and with meetings of SPƵվ Council.
The Head of Education within the relevant locality or their designated representative shall attend meetings of the LAP.
Secretariat shall be provided by the Director of Corporate Governance or their nominated representative.
Responsibilities
Within the Locality
In support of SPƵվ’s Strategy
Together via SPƵվ Council
SPƵվ colleagues can apply to form new LAPs or Representative Bodies by completing the appropriate forms below. Click on each link to access the appropriate form.
For further information contact the governance team at [email protected].
Term of office:
Appointed to a term of up to 4 years (renewable to a maximum of 8 years), subject to review by the SPƵվ Nominations Committee
Time commitment:
1 day per month LAP business + 1 day a month SPƵվ Council business.
Location:
We work flexibly in your Region. LAPs meet at least termly (3 times a year) + SPƵվ Council up to 6 times a year. LAP meetings are normally held on-line via Teams however, events such as annual meetings and SPƵվ Council meetings are usually hybrid (face to face and on-line).
Role Overview:
In addition to the qualities set out in the LAP member role description, our Lead Volunteers:
In addition to the qualities set out in the LAP member role description, our Lead Volunteers undertake their role in partnership with SPƵվ staff to:
SPƵվ Council Role
From May 2025, any LAP member may be nominated to play an active role as one of five LAP representatives on the SPƵվ Council. Further information about the Council transitional arrangements during 2024, the Council composition as agreed in January 2024 and their work plan can be requested by contacting the governance team.
Qualities
Training available
Induction and training relevant to the role will be provided*.
As a volunteer, you will receive ongoing support from the SPƵվ governance and regional SPƵվ teams, who will help you plan your LAP activities, identify training needs and support you in resolving any issues. Support is also available from the SPƵվ Volunteering and Membership team.
*Our induction and training framework is currently under review and an enhanced framework will be rolled out in due course.
Please not the role outlined above is voluntary, however agreed expenses will be paid as per the SPƵվ volunteer expenses policy.
Term of office:
Appointed to a term of up to 4 years (renewable to a maximum of 8 years), subject to review by the SPƵվ Nominations Committee
Time commitment:
Up to 1 day per month, meeting at least termly (3 times a year)
Location:
We work flexibly in your Region. LAP meetings are normally held on-line via Teams however, events such as annual meetings may be offered as a hybrid (face to face and on-line).
Roles and Responsibility within your Region:
Each LAP takes collective responsibility for their actions in line with their latest Terms of Reference as approved by the Board of Trustees, SPƵվ Regulations and Policies. LAP members play a vital role in our local governance to:
1. Build strong community links and networks within the region to promote the work and interests of SPƵվ.
2. Evidence and act in line with SPƵվ plans and policies on local views and issues, giving due regard to the views and needs of learners, Association Members, supporters, volunteers, funders, and other stakeholders.
3. Play an active role in helping SPƵվ to shape and influence local and regional strategies which may impact upon SPƵվ’s funding and/or service delivery.
4. Help facilitate the convening of an annual meeting of Association Members and stakeholders within the region, the purpose of which is to promote engagement with SPƵվ activities within the region, and to advance SPƵվ’s mission and values.
5. Support the Head of Region and all SPƵվ staff in:
In accordance with SPƵվ governance policies and processes LAPs also:
Keep their LAP’s terms of reference under review and recommend any changes to SPƵվ Council for consideration by the Board of Trustees.
SPƵվ Council Role
From May 2025, any LAP member may be nominated to play an active role as one of five LAP representatives on the SPƵվ Council. Further information about the Council transitional arrangements during 2024, the Council composition as agreed in January 2024 and their work plan can be requested by contacting the governance team.
Qualities:
All SPƵվ LAP volunteers are friendly, welcoming and patient, reliable and trustworthy; enjoy learning and helping others; feel confident talking to a range of people and enjoy being part of a team. They bring impartiality and objectivity to decision making.
Essential
Desirable
The range of knowledge and experience that may be of benefit to each Local Advisory Panel includes (but is not limited to):
Training Available:
Induction and training relevant to the role will be provided*.
As a volunteer, you will receive ongoing support from the SPƵվ governance and regional SPƵվ teams, who will help you plan your LAP activities, identify training needs and support you in resolving any issues. Support is also available from the SPƵվ Volunteering and Membership team.
*Our induction and training framework is currently under review and an enhanced framework will be rolled out in due course.
Please not the role outlined above is voluntary, however agreed expenses will be paid as per the SPƵվ volunteer expenses policy.
The SPƵվ is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity, where our workforce and learners can work and study in an environment that is supportive and inclusive, and in doing so, recruit the best candidates from all backgrounds and identities.
The SPƵվ welcomes applications irrespective of people’s age, disability, sex, gender identity or gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, neurodivergence or other personal circumstances.
The organisation continues to work towards the ‘good work plan reforms,’ ensuring greater transparency and protection for staff working under more flexible working arrangements.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is a key part of our strategy and a central part of everything we do. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process. This includes the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability and/or who are neurodivergent. Please contact [email protected] for further information.
SPƵվ is a Disability Confident employer and recognises and celebrates good practice in recruiting and supporting disabled applicants. We have also signed up to Investors in Diversity accreditation a national framework for improving FREDIE practices within the workplace. We are hold Investors in People silver accreditation.
Join us as we continue to open doors through adult education, improve social mobility, and build a future where everyone realises their full potential.
Applicants with a disability are invited to contact us in confidence at any point during the recruitment process to discuss steps that could be taken to overcome operational difficulties presented by the role, or if any adjustments or support are required regarding the recruitment process.
Further information
We are committed to ensuring equality of opportunity and positive promotion of equality and diversity through our educational provision, our employment practices and in the democracy and governance of the SPƵվ.
Our action plan shows how we are improving our practice at all levels of the SPƵվ; nationally, regionally and locally. We will measure our impact and seek feedback on our activities and consult with our learners, volunteers, staff, members and partners on how we are doing.
Championing diversity
We have a network of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion champions who work across the SPƵվ to promote our work, share good practice and support staff, tutors and volunteers.
If you have any questions, please contact our EDI group at [email protected].
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