Trainee Board Member Programme Candidate Information Brief

February 2022

Trainee Board Member Programme Candidate Information Brief

Contents Welcome Message

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About Lincolnshire Housing Partnership

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Why the Trainee Board Member Programme?

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Person Specification

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How to apply

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Supporting you with your statement

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Welcome Message Thank you for your interest in the Trainee Board Member programme at Lincolnshire Housing Partnership (LHP).

If you would like to become a Board or Committee member in the future, have an interest in social housing or community investment and a passion to make a difference to the lives of residents, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. This programme is designed to develop your skills, knowledge and confidence to become fully ready to apply for and join a Board or Committee as a nonexecutive director.

Anthony Read Chair

We have joined up with the Housing Diversity Network (HDN) to deliver a two-year learning, development and mentoring programme for individuals who are committed to their personal development and to social housing.

We are committed to sponsoring two individuals on the programme initially, with a further two in 2023 as part of a broader initiative to increase skills within our local community. We will support you through the programme offering opportunities to observe our Board and Committee meetings and undertake the same induction and development opportunities provided to our Board members, as well as paying you an allowance for participating in the programme and expenses.

We are hoping that following the programme, you will want to apply for a role as a LHP Board member, therefore we are ideally seeking applicants able to demonstrate knowledge and connections to our local community and have experience of social housing. Although not essential, to help with future Board succession planning, we are looking for individuals with knowledge and experience in the following areas: Risk management, audit, assurance and compliance, business planning and financial management Regeneration and community development, asset management and investment and property maintenance Lived experience of social housing We are committed to ensuring equality, diversity and inclusion is embedded across all our working practices and 3

are currently working with the National Centre of Diversity on our journey to become accredited as Investors in Diversity. We actively promote equity, fairness, respect and engagement, are committed to continuous improvement and combatting discrimination.

We recognise our customers and colleagues come from diverse backgrounds, with varying experiences and needs and believe that to be successful, we need to work with a talented and diverse range of people. Therefore, we welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and with a broad range of experience.

In particular, we strive for our Board membership to be reflective of the diversity of the communities in which we operate. Our Board does not currently fully reflect these demographics, so we are positively encouraging applications from women, people with a disability, people of Eastern European heritage and people under 45 years of age.

We are committed to equality of opportunity. Your application will be dealt with fairly and all decisions we make about it will be based on merit and your ability to meet the criteria required for the role.

This is a fantastic opportunity. If you are interested in becoming a Trainee Board member, then we look forward to receiving your application.

Anthony Read Anthony Read Chair

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About LHP LHP exists to provide great homes, in strong communities across Lincolnshire. We manage around 12,500 homes and have a £50m annual turnover. As one of the largest employers in the region, we currently house more than 20,000 people. We are a registered charitable community benefit provider of social housing, and our purpose is to provide affordable homes for people in the greatest need in Lincolnshire.

Our homes are located across the east coast of Lincolnshire, with over 75% near Boston and Grimsby.

In 2021 we started to develop our new Corporate Plan for 2022-2027 in collaboration with customers, partners, and employees. We put our values of working together, putting the customer first, listening, acting, and learning at the heart of everything we do. Our visions and values remain the same with customers informing us of their priorities and the way we will go about our work in the future.

By great homes we mean great places to live which are secure, well-built, efficient to heat and run and which have sufficient space. But we know that to make a house into a great home they need to be in places where people want and can afford to live.

So, we reinvest rental income into repairs, upgrades and

new affordable homes, but also into projects that improve health, build community spirit, reduce crime and which give people opportunities to realise their ambitions.

We understand that a strong community is one where people come together and support each other, and to achieve that we know we must collaborate with partners and listen to our customers.

Over the next few years, our aim is to achieve a consistent, high-quality service and to ensure customers an actively influence our decisions. We will do this by: By creating structured opportunities to Listen, Act and Learn from our customers, employees, and

stakeholders, co- creating services so that everyone who uses our services has a meaningful say in how we deliver them Working Together as we can achieve more by working together with our key stakeholders and by working together as one team 5

As a charitable communitybased organisation, we channel profit back into services and projects that benefit our customers and local neighbourhoods and through strong governance and a keen eye on value for money, we ensure we are a sustainable business that is in a position to grow for the benefit of our communities.

In early-2020 we launched our internal Culture Change Programme, The LHP Way. The aim of this was to deliver an even better service

through greater investment in our employees. This means providing engagement and development opportunities for our teams, as well as embracing the benefits that new technology can bring.

We have made great strides with our Digital Transformation Journey, and in 2021 we launched a new customer portal and app – MyLHP - and a new corporate website, but we know we have more to do.

Our focus is also on what LHP can do to contribute to a more sustainable future and our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

Strategy aims to create positive environmental and social impacts, with outcomes that benefits our customers, communities, employees and other stakeholders.

Our commitment to being a Customer First company means that our customers are at the forefront of our decision-making.

And it goes without saying we’re proud to be a valuesbased organisation.

Further information about the organisation, our achievement and future aspirations can be found on our website at www.lincolnshirehp.com/ board-recruitment

These are our values: Customer First We put customers at the heart of our decisionmaking process and develop services that are built around their needs. This emphasis is felt by customers in every interaction with us, driving up our customer satisfaction and ensuring we invest our money where it has the greatest impact.

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Listen, Act and Learn We create a structured opportunity for stakeholders, staff and customers to provide feedback. We value this time and insight and use it to act and learn from it. Before investing in new and existing projects, we seek the views of those set to benefit.

Together We proactively seek out new partnerships and work to build on the many successful joint working projects already underway.

We achieve more by working together with our key stakeholders and by working together as one team.

Why the Trainee Board Member Programme?

We decided to launch a development programme in partnership with the Housing Diversity Network to invest in the development of local people, with the hope that these individuals will become future LHP Board members.

We know that not everyone will feel they have the skills, knowledge, or experience to be successful in securing a Board position. This programme is designed to provide the opportunity for you to develop your skills, knowledge, and confidence - so we are not looking for the finished article.

HDN developed the programme in recognition of the lack of diversity across the housing association boards. The programme will develop a diverse group of individuals who: Understand strategic and operational performance Hold us to account and grasp risk Are open to creativity and finding new ways of working Maintain their diversity of skills, thought and experience to hold us all to account Exercise sound judgement and leadership Have had their capacity built, to increase their capability Would be an asset to any organisation During the programme, you will develop a range of skills and knowledge in the following areas: Governance and regulation of housing associations Government Housing Policy direction, strategy and impact Growth - strategic partnerships, mergers, new homes etc Business Diversification and Project Appraisal techniques Diversity of thought - to using your skills in the Board Room Role of Audit and Internal Controls assurance Value for Money and management of Risks Understanding financial reporting, assurance and treasury management 7

Customer Engagement - hearing the customer voice Health and Safety Assurance Business transformation and the digital agenda Managing your assets It is hoped that on completion of this programme, you will have acquired the knowledge and experience that will allow you to be ready to make a successful application for a Board Member position. We will guarantee you an interview for any Board or Committee Member vacancies within LHP following the completion of your programme.

What is involved?

If you are selected onto the trainee programme, you will take part in a two-year scheme and you will be able to access: A comprehensive induction to LHP as well as having access to the same network and development opportunities as our Board Members On-going support from the Housing Diversity Network (HDN) who will also provide training and networking events to help equip you with the skills and knowledge to enable you to operate in a Board level environment Support through mentoring schemes LHP’s Board and Committee meetings as an observer to experience what you have learned and support your learning Development exercises (such as mock board meetings and personal development sessions) with other Trainees on the programme Support from other Trainees involved with neighbouring housing associations Support from LHP Board members and Executive Team

Expectations You are expected to show commitment to your personal training and development during your time on the programme.

You are expected to attend all of the HDN Board Diversity programme events (held virtually and/or face to face) and meet with your mentor between these events. A schedule of attendance at LHP Board/Committee meetings will be arranged with you. You will also be invited to attend induction events and board development sessions during the two years. Failure to attend without good reason may ultimately result in the termination of your participation on the programme.

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You are expected to respond promptly to communications from HDN and LHP during the course and wherever possible within any specified response deadlines; and to ensure that we are made aware of any changes in contact details and periods of planned absence (e.g., holidays) in advance.

You are expected to abide by our Code of Conduct which sets out the expected behaviours for Board and Committee Members. You must ensure that all information obtained during the programme is confidentially maintained in accordance with the law and or policies and procedures. You must not make use of information obtained by virtue of your connections with LHP for personal or business advantage.

You are expected to fully participate in evaluations of your own progress through the programme and contribute to the assessment of the Board Diversity programme’s success overall. Supported by HDN and LHP, you will be expected to take ownership of your own development through the programme.

Time Commitment As part of the two-year programme, you will be expected each year to fully commit to and attend: Four training events Six mentor meetings Four support meetings Participate in the HDN Board Excellence Certification Programme (currently online 12 x 2-hour sessions) Prepare for and observe between 10 and 16 LHP Board and Committee meetings, strategy away days and Board development sessions LHP Board and Committee meetings are usually held on a Tuesday at 4pm for approximately two hours. These are a mixture of virtual and face to face meetings, usually at one of our offices to build effective relationships. Strategy days are held face to face and are a full day with an overnight stay.

Dates for LHP Board and Committee meetings in 2022 can be found at www.lincolnshirehp. com/board-recruitment.

Remuneration and Equipment Trainee Board Members are remunerated £1,550 per year with additional paid expenses such as mileage, hotel accommodation, train fares. All Trainee Board Members are also provided with a tablet to access LHP services such as the Board Portal, Teams meetings, LHP intranet and emails.

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Person Specification: The Board is made up of members with different skills, knowledge and experience, all of whom share collective responsibility for setting the strategic direction of LHP, so that we can successfully achieve our obligations for Customer, Legal and Regulatory compliance. The full role description of Board members can be found at www.lincolnshirehp.com/boardrecruitment.

to attend the board/committee, training, mentoring and other events as required by the programme to prepare for programme events; and to undertake any necessary work between events; and to LHP’s vision and values and to act in the best interests of LHP 

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Below are the criteria which are required to become an effective Board Member at LHP. While it is not necessary for applicants to have significant experience in all these areas to become a trainee, it is important you demonstrate what knowledge and experience you currently have.

To be accepted and remain on the programme, you must be able to demonstrate the following commitments:

Please provide in your written application how you demonstrate these commitments, and examples of how your experience matches the Board member criteria listed below.

Essential 1.

Customer Focus: Ability to understand and articulate the needs, priorities and issues of customers in LHP’s community and develop respectful, open and positive relationships with LHP’s customers.

2.

Leadership: Ability to think strategically, be held accountable and hold others to

account – contributing positively to setting LHP’s strategic direction

and the identification of emerging external factors that may impact LHP. 3.

Independence: Ability to demonstrate impartiality, objectivity and integrity – with

a focus on risk identification and mitigation and achieving long term strategic outcomes.

4.

Analysis: Ability to analyse and interpret complex information and evidence demonstrating intellectual flexibility and sound judgment in decision making.

5.

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Communication: Ability to listen, communicate, support, challenge and influence effectively - positively giving, receiving and acting on feedback, articulating clear reasoning - being able to work effectively within LHP and represent and promote LHP effectively with stakeholders - developing open and positive relationships that generate confidence and trust.

6.

Teamwork: Ability to build supportive, collaborative relationships and work as a team - showing self-awareness and welcoming, valuing and showing regard to the differing views and advice of others, motivating and empowering others and inspiring trust and confidence.

7.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion: Demonstrable commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and ability to understand and articulate discrimination and inclusion issues within the sector and a personal commitment to treating people fairly, honestly and with respect.

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Corporate Governance: Ability to understand the role of a non-executive – how to contribute to effective corporate governance, decision making and corporate risk and performance management.

Desirable 9.

Housing Sector: Interest or current strategic understanding of the housing sector and of the social, economic, and political environment.

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How to Apply Ref Number: LHP002

2 Trainee Board Members

If you wish to apply, please supply the following documentation: A comprehensive CV setting out your career history, with responsibilities and achievements A supporting statement (maximum 3 sides of A4) that outlines why you are interested in joining the Trainee Board Member programme, what you hope to learn from the programme and what experience and perspectives you have which addresses the criteria in the person specification Please also state details of two referees together with a brief statement of the capacity in which, and the length of time for which, they have known you (referees will not be contacted before final interview or appointment without your express permission) Please ensure you have also completed and submitted the equal opportunities monitoring form (this can be accessed from the Rockpools website as part of the online application process). The information you provide is not seen or considered by the selection or appointments panel at any stage and will be treated as confidential and used for statistical purposes only It is essential in your supporting statement that you provide as full an answer as possible to each of the criteria being answered to ensure your application covers all the relevant experience that the selection panel will be looking for in the sift process. Further guidance on writing your supporting statement can be found at www.lincolnshirehp.com/boardrecruitment.

If you wish to receive a hard copy of the information content or equal opportunities form, or in an alternative format e.g. Audio, Braille or large font then please contact Kelly Rooke on +44 (0)20 3137 3449 or by e-mailing her at kelly.rooke@rockpools.com.

Application documents should be submitted via the Rockpools website www.rockpools.com by no later than 14 March 2022 with final interviews being held virtually week commencing 09 May 2022. If you cannot apply online, please post applications to: Kelly Rooke Coventry Techno Centre Coventry University Technology Park Puma Way, Coventry CV1 2TT For an informal and confidential discussion, please call our advising consultants at Rockpools: David Thomas on 07967 172902, Mohan Yogendran on 07786 190671 or Balvinder Sangha on 07739 508312.

Rockpools will, of course, respect the privacy of any conversations regarding these key roles.

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Supporting you with your statement Providing competency statements is important because they will be used to assess your suitability for the role.

It is not sufficient to say that you have the relevant experience – you should provide evidence of how you have made a success of that experience by describing how you acted in particular scenarios, and what effect(s) the action(s) had.

By using the recommended approach to demonstrate your experience for each criteria, it will help you provide examples in a structured way without using too many words. The majority of your examples should be on the Action and Results (and Reflection when appropriate). There are a lot of helpful websites that explain how to answer “STARR questions” (Situation, Task, Action, Result, Reflection).

If you do not have an example to use, we recommend that you seek advice from those who have observed you in a professional, academic, voluntary or other vocational capacity as there could be examples which you have forgotten about.

We highly recommend you do not miss out providing an example for any of the essential criteria. By doing so you indicate that you do not (or cannot) meet the criteria.

Situation: think of a situation you have found yourself in (professionally, personally, academically etc) that is relevant to the competency and that you can use to demonstrate how you meet the competency Task: what was the task you were involved in? explain in some detail your individual involvement and role in the task that demonstrates how you meet the competency.

Were you part of a team? leading a team? working alone?

Action: what was the action you took? did it have a positive / negative impact? (less successful examples are just as acceptable but you may wish to reflect in your answer the lessons learned) Result: what was the impact of your action(s) on you, others etc? what was the overall outcome?

Reflection: what did you learn? what did those around you learn? how might you manage the same situation differently next time? You can also use this part to highlight other key skills or knowledge mentioned in the candidate pack (if possible) Please remember to review your application before submission ensuring you have checked it for spellings and grammatical errors and that you have included everything you need to and removed anything which is repetitive or irrelevant.

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Notes

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Notes

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So what are you waiting for?

! y a d to y l pp A

Lincolnshire Housing Partnership Limited registered as a charitable Community Benefit Society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 with registered number: 7748. Data Protection registration number: ZA345449 Registered Office: Westgate Park, Charlton Street, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, DN31 1SQ