Role Description for the URC Assessment Board
Convenor

Role Title

Governance Area

Main Points of Contact

Connected Roles

Role Description

Convenor of the Assessment Board

Ministries Committee

Deputy General Secretary (Ministries)

Convenor of the Assessment Board is a member of Ministries
Committee, and also its Accreditations Sub-Committee

Sources of Support

Administrative support provided by PA to the Secretary for Ministries

Location

Convenor of the Assessment Board is a member of Ministries
Committee, and also its Accreditations Sub-Committee

Time Commitment

Remuneration

2 on-line meetings (Annual General Meeting, and annual meeting
with Synod Candidating Secretaries) and 3 in-person meetings (2
Assessment Conferences, normally in March and November (each
of 4 days) and annual Assessment Training for Synod Assessors
and new Assessment Board Members (4 days, normally in October),
with additional follow-up work between meetings, usually on-line,
occasionally with RCLs and students in person.

Volunteers are not remunerated. The URC will ensure financial
expenses incurred by volunteers while supporting the work of the
Ministries Committee will be reimbursed, in accordance with the
URC expenses policy.

Background:  The Assessment Board is one of the sub-committees of Ministries Committee. It
has delegated authority from General Assembly for the consideration and selection of
candidates for the Ministries of the Word and Sacraments and of Church Related Community
Workers, and for oversight of their training in Education for Ministry (EM1) in the Resource
Centres for Learning (RCLs) of the URC.

  Committee Summary:  Assessment Board
The Assessment Board has delegated authority from General Assembly for assessing candidates
for ministry under function xxix of the General Assembly. As such, it has its own Appeals
Process.
The functions of the Assessment Board are to oversee the candidating process for the Ministry of
the Word and Sacraments and Church Related Community Workers on behalf of the United
Reformed Church including the Assessment Conferences each year normally in March and
November; to hear any appeals to the Assessment Conference discernment decisions using the
Assessment Board Appeals Process;  to oversee Education for Ministry Phase 1 training on
behalf of the URC;  hear concerns from the RCLs concerning students and, where necessary

implements the Amber Light Policy Stage 2 process to makes decisions about the continuation of
training for students;  instigate any Occupational Health Assessments for students in EM as
advised by the RCL;  administers Assessment Board Training to which all new assessors must
attend before they can begin as an assessor including EDI awareness training; continually review
processes to ensure best practice at all stages of candidating including Synod and Assessment
Conferences, advising Synods of changes to the process as necessary; advise Ministries of the
accreditation of students in training through the Accreditation sub-committee; oversee the annual
meeting with Candidating Secretaries or equivalent and the annual assessor training in October;
contribute brief reports for General Assembly (annual) and Ministries committee (5 per year).

Principal  responsibilities  and  duties

Convening and Running Meetings

Work with the Deputy General Secretary (Ministries) to

1.

2.
3.

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7.

8.

ensure that the work of the Board remains within its approved Terms of Reference
(and delegated authority from General Assembly);
enable equal participation from the membership of the Board;
ensure the smooth running of Assessment Conferences and decisions are reported in an
appropriate manner;
ensure Assessment Board training takes place on an annual basis ;
ensure the AGM agenda covers the appropriate items for discussion throughout the year;
approve minutes of the AGM for timely circulation to its members;
ensure that the Board’s risk register is reviewed at appropriate intervals during the year and
any necessary actions taken;
submit the Board’s up-to-date risk register to the Ministries Committee as part of the annual
review.

Oversee Board Membership

1.

Ensure that the membership of the Board is diverse and meets the URC’s current
expectations in terms of Equality Diversity and Inclusion.

2.  Work with the Secretary for Ministries and appointed Church House support to

follow safer recruitment procedures in seeking new members of the Board as
vacancies arise.
Provide a list of appropriate names to Nominations Committee for them to make

3.

final nominations to General Assembly.

Training

Undertake training in key areas as highlighted within the induction and through ongoing
conversation with the General Secretariat, such training to include anti-racism training.

Working with other Committees and Volunteers

This section lists the type and level of interaction that this role has with committees and other
groups. It may vary from time to time and as directed by the Business Committee/ General
Secretariat.
The Convenor of the Ministries Committee
The Deputy General Secretary (Ministries)
Ministries Committee
Accreditations Sub-Committee

Expected Standards

This section refers to the way in which the role should be done as opposed to the duties/
responsibilities themselves.

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2.
3.

4.

Promote a culture of open and effective communication.
Actively foster an environment which nurtures equality and cherishes diversity.
Take responsibility for own personal development and develop skills and
knowledge applicable to this role.
Ensure compliance with safeguarding practice.

This role description reflects the overall scope and responsibilities of the role. However, it
may change and evolve over time in order to meet organisational needs and this job
description will therefore be subject to periodic review and change if required.