Person Specification – Subject Specialist – SNSIAP Moderation Committee

A central part of the Scottish National Standards for Information and Advice Providers (SNSIAP) is the involvement of the Peer Review Moderation Committee, which monitors and supervises the peer review scheme on behalf of SLAB and Scottish Government.

Moderation of an agency’s peer review report by the Committee acts as the final stage in the peer review process. Successful sign-off by the Moderation Committee of an agency’s peer review report is required before an agency can apply for accreditation.

The SNSIAP cover three areas of advice, which are housing, money/debt, and welfare benefits.

The Moderation Committee is comprised of:

• two representatives from SLAB, one of whom will chair meetings
• six people with experience of working in the advice sector with relevant experience (housing, money/debt or welfare benefits) who are subject specialists in at least one of these areas of advice (Subject Specialist members)
• two people with knowledge and understanding of quality assurance schemes from outside the advice or legal sector (Quality Assurance members).

Further background information on the Committee is available here.

A Subject Specialist:

• participates in the Moderation Committee’s consideration of peer review reports, both single agency assessments and consistency assessments, and provides expert input into the decisions made by peer reviewers in their subject area
• contributes to the development of the SNSIAP Peer Review process, including recommendations for improvements in the process and identifying training needs for peer reviewers.

The tasks for are subject specialist include:

• preparing for, attending and contributing to the Moderation Committee meetings
• contributing to the consistency of the peer review process by commenting on and, where necessary, adjudicating on differences of opinion between peer reviewers about individual case files assessment
• attending any training and induction sessions as may be necessary.

Remuneration.
The work is unpaid, but all reasonable travelling and out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed.

Commitment.
The appointment covers a three year period, and an induction is provided. The time commitment to this post is likely to be one and a half days per quarter (including preparation time) and other occasional meetings as required.

Location of meetings.
The Committee meetings will usually take place online using MS Teams, and occasionally at SLAB’s office near Haymarket train station in Edinburgh.

Requirement for confidentiality.
It is of the utmost importance that committee members preserve the confidentiality of the peer review process. This includes taking responsibility for the handling of peer review reports as and when required.

The following details the skills, knowledge and personal qualities that are essential or desirable for the Subject Specialist members of the SNSIAP Peer Review Moderation Committee.

Please note that members of the judiciary, practising advocates and solicitors, and people who work in the advice sector or provide advice are not eligible for appointment as Subject Specialist members to the Committee.