Reflecting on my experience as a HCPC Council member

The HCPC is a regulator of health and care professions in the UK and its role is to protect the public. Health and care professionals must be registered with the HCPC to work in the UK in any of the 15 professions it regulates.

Eight years ago, I joined the HCPC Council as a lay member. I have enjoyed considering the various strands of the HCPC’s work, along with applying my wider experience, and supporting and challenging in my role to help ensure we are moving in the right direction. I am sure you would too.

My background

I am an accountant by background with a career in central government and  then transitioned to resources director positions in health regulators.

The HCPC was a marvellous opportunity to further my non-executive career, build my knowledge and allow me to apply my skills. There was an extensive induction programme, with lots of opportunities to meet stakeholders and observe the business of the HCPC.

I have continued to learn from Council colleagues, our apprentices, the executive, registrants and groups affected by their work. In particular, the annual all-employee event has enabled me to hear different perspectives and have thought-provoking conversations.

My contribution as a Council member

As a Council member I have contributed to the development of the corporate strategy and plans and reviewed performance. We have also been consulted on improvement projects and a range of strategic decisions.

I have sat on all the committees of the Council and chaired Committees for Audit and Risk Assurance, People and Resources and Remuneration. These Committees allow greater engagement with executive and senior management, and provides a forum to explore issues in more depth. For example, one of the topics discussed recently was the impact of the growth in the numbers of international applicants on resources and finances.

The Council plays an important role in considering the priority of such work and its development, as well as making difficult decisions such as increasing the fees registrants pay to enable investment in technology and maintain financial stability.

There are so many challenges in the workplaces of our registrants that impact on protecting the public. The HCPC has researched and provided advice and support on various topics to assist with these challenges. For instance, to the small proportion of registrants who face fitness to practise investigation and also more generally on areas such as sexual safety, professional boundaries and the use of social media.

The HCPC is a confident and compassionate regulator, that strives continually to improve. There is a great senior team in place and we work together respectfully and fruitfully.

If joining the HCPC Council sounds like something you would be interested in I would encourage you to apply!