Independent Advisory Group

Please apply by the 5th May 2025 at 12:00 Midday

South Wales Fire & Rescue Service’s Independent Advisory Group (IAG) is a new group as part of our governance structure which will perform the vital role of a ‘critical friend’ in relation to our policies and processes.

It is a group where independent members can offer advice based on their knowledge and lived experience and contribute to South Wales Fire & Rescue Service’s mission of ‘To Make South Wales Safer by Reducing Risk’

The role of the IAG is to provide informal advice to the Service with a particular focus on ensuring we understand and are able to respond to the needs of all our communities and our staff. The group may be asked to comment on and inform policy and procedures being implemented as well as ongoing operational matters which may be affecting the communities of South Wales.

We need people with a passion, commitment, understanding from a range of fields including public sector, private sector, cultural change, voluntary sector, inspection and D.I.C.E to ensure we deliver for the communities of South Wales and create a safe, modern workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, and is free from discrimination, bullying and harassment.

• Contract: Voluntary (reasonable travel expenses paid)
• Hours of Work: Availability as set out in Job Profile
• Location: Meetings to be held at SWFRS Headquarters
  in Llantrisant and/or by Microsoft Teams

Role Profile

As an IAG member your independent views will help shape South Wales Fire & Rescue Service policy and provide sustainable transformation across the Service. You will agree to:

• Take part in 6 weekly meetings (subject to review) as a member of the Group.
• Provide at least 24 months on the panel (minimum of 16 meetings – subject to review).
• Provide independent advice about specific issues identified and agreed by SWFRS such as SWFRS policies, practices, procedures and critical incidents.
• Provide guidance, personal insight and constructive challenge reflecting your perspective, knowledge and background.
• Retain a good working relationship with other IAG members, SWFRS personnel and any other interested parties.

Person Specification

Candidates for the role of IAG member must satisfy the following criteria:

• Not be a member of SWFRS staff.
• Must be willing to contribute time, energy and commitment to attend regular meetings.
• Must be willing to work constructively with SWFRS, and other IAG members.
• Demonstrate the ability to listen to and consider the views of others and treat all people fairly and with dignity and respect.
• Must abide by the NFCC Core Code of Ethics and SWFRS values.
• Must not have a conflict of interest through work or other volunteering roles (this will be considered on a case-by-case basis).
• Must be able to deal with and appropriately manage confidential information.
• Demonstrate the ability to question, challenge, weigh up issues and make balanced, reasonable and proportionate judgements.

Whilst not essential the member would ideally have some experience of:

• Working with other people on issues of mutual interest over a period of time.
• Sharing their views and issues with others.
• Balancing commitments and time in an effective manner.
• Interacting or working with people who have different views to their own.
• Attending meetings and making positive and constructive contribution.
• Working with and making decisions as part of a team or group.

Background
In January 2024 the Independent Culture Review Report was published by Fenella Morris KC. This was closely followed in February 2024 by intervention from Welsh Government to replace the Fire and Rescue Authority with four Commissioners, tasked with effecting culture change as part of a specific terms of reference.

Considering the 82 recommendations made by Fenella Morris KC as well as the impact of other reports from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS), the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and Welsh Government that called for change across the fire and rescue sector, resulted in an extensive list of issues to be addressed. This has required coordination of our approach to ensure we do not lose sight of the changes called for by the Independent Culture Review but deliver wider change effectively and efficiently.

The Commissioners and senior leadership of SWFRS are committed to making the changes necessary to create a safe, modern workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, and is free from discrimination, bullying and harassment.

Responsibilities

To successfully implement the level of change and transformation required across the Service, the IAG will provide a ‘critical friend’ capacity, providing challenge and feedback on proposals and thinking. The group will not be a decision-making body but will have the following responsibilities:

1. Support the Commissioner’s mission to ensure SWFRS is trusted to serve and
protect the communities for which it serves.

2. Support the Commissioners and senior responsible owner in making the changes
required to the culture of SWFRS as identified in the independent Culture Review.

3. Help quality assure and improve SWFRS’s thinking and plans by providing advice
on changes or new ideas.

4. Advise on the development of new strategies or ideas for SWFRS.

5. Provide assistance where expertise and resources permit.