Faculty guidance
This guidance is intended to help employers, Faculty Assessors and Faculty Advisers in the appointment process for senior public health posts at consultant or equivalent level (including Director of Public Health posts) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The appointments procedure in Scotland differs in detail from that used elsewhere in the UK but the specimen job descriptions and person specifications may be adapted for use in Scotland as the same standards for public health practice apply throughout the UK.
- Guidance for Employers [word 332KB]
- Guidance for Faculty Assessors [word 459KB]
- Creating a Patient-Led NHS Q&As (for Assessors) [pdf 47KB]
- Guidance for Faculty Advisers [word 326KB]
Five key steps to being a good AAC assessor
- Keep in touch with the Faculty - this means checking you have been properly appointed to each Advisory Appointments Committee, asking any questions you have, and providing feedback (quickly!) via the assessors' report form [word 317KB].
- Read the Faculty's guidance for assessors [word 459KB] – and make sure you are clear about your role.
- Make sure you see all applications - assessors must see all applications and be involved in the entire process, including short-listing, interview, any presentations, etc.
- Ask questions - and ask them as soon as possible. If you have doubts/queries/concerns about an applicant or their qualifications, it is much, much easier to clarify at short-listing stage than on the day of the interview
- Be assertive - you are there as part of a robust and stringent selection process and are representing and protecting the profession. If you have concerns, make them known!
Job descriptions for posts in local authorities
With the planned move of senior public health posts away from the NHS, FPH have developed a specimen job description and guidance for local authorities on the appointment of a director of public health, intended to assist local authorities in establishing functions and responsibilities. These can be downloaded here:
- Guidance for local authorities on the appointment of a director of public health [word 263KB]
- Director of public health – job description [word 370KB]
It should be noted that these are working drafts and will be updated in line with the publication of official guidance and operating frameworks. A specimen job description for consultants in public health is also being developed.
