Chair roles and responsibilities
A chair is the person who leads and runs a meeting.
They help plan the agenda, keep the meeting focussed and ensure everyone’s views are heard in a timely and professional manner.
Who can be chair?
The Chair:
- Will support the work of the Wakefield SENDIASS
- Has current, relevant knowledge of SEND and legislation or willingness to learn
- Has current, relevant knowledge of Wakefield or a willingness to learn
- Wants to improve the outcomes for children, young people, parents and carers as described in the SEN Code of Practice
- Will identify and acknowledge any conflict of interest
- May be a current or recent service user of the service (parent, carer or young person) or professional stakeholder
- Has a confidential, appropriate space to host virtual meetings
- Is willing to commit to 3 meetings a year (each of 2 hours-termly) plus preparation and reflection time
What is the role of the chair?
The role of the Chair is to ensure:
- all business on the agenda is discussed or agreement reached to be carried forward
- everyone’s views are heard
- clear decisions are reached
- meeting is kept to time
- reasonable adjustments are made for members to partake
- all members adhere to the Terms of Reference for the group
- new members feel welcomed, included, and informed
What skills does the chair need to have?
Skills and competencies include but are not limited to:
- Is passionate about SEND and achieving the best outcomes for children, young people and their families.
- A positive viewpoint of individuals with SEND
- Lived or professional experience
- Good listening skills
- Gentle confidence to challenge appropriately
- Ability to mediate to bring different partners together on issues
- Organised
- Attention to detail
- Reflective
- Forward thinking
- Proactive
- Keen to learn
- Respectful of differing viewpoints
What are the expectations for the chair?
The Chair will not share details of the meeting outside of the agreed parameters. The chair also does not act in specific interests of their family, agency, charity or themselves. They also do not use the meeting to air personal disputes.
What should the chair do before meetings?
Before each meeting the Chair will:
- familiarise self with any new members expected
- revisit past minutes
- set the agenda, in coordination with SENDIASS managers
- agree any guest speakers
- consult with admin for confirmed attendance
Wakefield SENDIASS will support the chair in creating an agenda and hosting the meeting. We will provide admin such as sending out meeting invites, taking minutes and distributing information via email. Wakefield SENDIASS will also support the chair with reasonable adjustments and any continual professional development (CPD) needed for the role.