The vacancy
We are seeking to appoint one lay member to sit on our GOC Council.
About the GOC
We are the regulator for the optical professions in the UK. Our purpose is to protect the public by promoting high standards of education, performance and conduct. For more information about us please visit our website:optical. org.
About the Council
The role of Council is to lead on the GOC’s mission to protect the public by upholding high standards in eye care services. The Council is composed of six lay members (including the Chair) and six registrant members (i.e. registered optometrists and dispensing opticians). At least one member of the Council must work wholly or mainly in each of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. One Council member acts as a Senior Council Member whose role is to carry out the Chair’s appraisal as well as provide a sounding board for the Chair and serve as an intermediary for Council members, Executive and stakeholders as necessary.
The successful candidate will contribute to Council by exercising oversight, ensuring effective corporate governance, and making high-level policy decisions. They will be able to operate strategically and impartially; listen, communicate, and influence effectively; exercise judgment; and inspire confidence and support amongst our stakeholders.
Remuneration and time commitment
Council members are remunerated in accordance with our member fees policy (£13,962 per annum plus reasonable travel and subsistence expenses). The member fee includes time for reading and preparation.
The appointed member will be expected to commit approximately 2-3 days per month. Meetings will usually take place via MS Teams but may on occasion be held at the GOC Offices at Level 29, One Canada Square, London, E14 5AA. There are occasional online catch-up meetings - these are currently scheduled on a Tuesday evening every 6-8 weeks, from 5.30pm – 6.30pm.
How to apply:
Please email the the following to appointment@optical. org
· your CV outlining your employment history, any relevant voluntary work, public service or other experience; together with any relevant professional, academic or vocational qualifications;
· the application form, stating how your experience matches the criteria for the vacancy you are applying for; and
· complete the EDI monitoring form linked in the candidate pack (this is an online form and does not need to be included in the email with your CV and application form).
APPLICATION DEADLINE: midnight on Sunday 10 August 2025.
Online interviews will be held on between Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 October 2025.
If you have any questions, please email them to appointment@optical. org and we will aim to respond to you within 48 hours.
We welcome applications from individuals who are disabled and from diverse ethnic backgrounds as these are currently under-represented on our council and committees.
We strive to be as diverse as the public we protect and welcome applications from everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity and geographical locations outside of London.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
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You’ll have an active role providing LGBTQ+ affirmative support for LGBTQ+ children and young people.
This is an exciting job opportunity to join a dynamic and committed team in a front-line role to support and deliver the activities and services of elop’s LGBTQ+ Children & Young People’s Service.This role offers great opportunity to work innovatively and responsively to support the genuine needs of LGBTQ+ young people.
In this role you will have opportunity to design and deliver innovative youth group support programmes (12- 24 year olds) & other activities; provide LGBTQ+ affirmative support, guidance and mentoring on a one-to-one basis; work with our wider family work programme, support families with LGBTQ+ children and deliver work in schools to students & teaching staff. You will have the responsibity to support volunteer mentors.
You will be responsible for the direct delivery of elop’s LGBTQ+ Young Peoples Service, including promotion, & administration, along with the induction, support & supervision of volunteers and interns. You will work alongside the wider staff team to support elop’s work with LGBTQ+ young people and contribute to sustainable service development.
The delivery of group support and activities will take place in person, and you will be office based three days a week with some remote working on other days before returning to full time in person working.
Full Time: 37 hours per week
You must be available to work Tuesday evenings & once a month on a Sunday afternoon. There will be occasional other evenings / weekend working required.
Interviews will take place Wednesday 17 September 2025 between 9.15am – 3.00 pm
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Registered Charity
6 - 10
To better the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ people, and to challenge the discrimination and inequalities that our community face.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.