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!
We don't believe survivors of modern slavery should ever have to sleep on the streets. We're looking for a team player with great communication skills and a 'can do' attitude to join our small, supportive team in making sure survivors have a safe place to live.
You'll combine your passion, organisation and collaboration skills to recruit, train and support hosts, process referrals and make guest placements.
Hope at Home operates a hosting scheme for survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking in the UK. We train and support volunteer hosts to welcome a survivor facing homelessness into their homes for an agreed time period.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Recruiting new volunteer hosts using networking and marketing skills including cold calling, following up warm leads and presenting at in person events.
- Supporting hosts with training, host support groups and staying in touch.
- Processing referrals and facilitating guest placements
- Building relationships with partner agencies
For a full job description and person specification, please see the attached document.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Holiday Entitlement
33 days FTE including bank holidays (19 days actual including bank holidays).
Training & development
We have a strong value for the personal growth and development of our staff, as such we actively encourage and enable our employees to undertake various forms of training and development to enhance their personal skills and abilities and to grow as individuals.
Other benefits
Monthly external supervisions, flexible working arrangements, staff wellbeing package, employee pension scheme, travel costs (including mileage) covered by Hope at Home, supportive team and plenty of cake.
Registered Charity
6 - 10
Providing safe homes for survivors of modern slavery by offering a range of innovative accommodation options in collaboration with other organisations
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.