Become a community member of the group looking at lifestyle weight management services for overweight and obese adults

This is a re-advertisment - Individuals who have already applied to be a member of this group need not do so again.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is re-inviting applications from lay people with experience or knowledge of weight loss programmes to become a community member of the group developing public health guidance for Managing overweight and obesity in adults - lifestyle weight management services.

Community members of this group will play a key role in making sure that the views, experiences and interests of people who are overweight and obese inform the development of the guidance and its recommendations to the NHS, local authorities and wider audiences.

This work will be looking at commercial, not-for-profit and self help weight management programmes, clubs and courses. These may be delivered in community, workplace or primary health care settings or online. The work will focus on lifestyle weight management which covers reducing energy intake, increasing physical activity and changing behaviour.

All members of the programme development group (PDG) have equal status, which reflects the relevance and importance of their different expertise and experience. They include public health professionals, dietitians, psychologists and researchers as well as community members. All group members need to attend regular meetings and undertake reading (including summaries of research evidence).

Skills and experience

We would welcome an application from you if you have:

• experience or knowledge of lifestyle weight management programmes for adults who are overweight or obese for example, as someone who:

- has personal experience of losing weight with the support of a weight management programme, course or club (online programmes included), or

- is the carer, relative or partner of someone who has experienced weight loss with the support of a lifestyle weight management programme or

- has been involved in activities, groups or campaigns to improve their own and/or their family's or community's health or well-being in relation to weight management and long term lifestyle changes

- works (paid or unpaid) for a voluntary organisation or charity representing the interests of people who are overweight or obese, or communities with high rates of obesity

• an understanding of, and a willingness to reflect, the experiences and needs of a wide network of relevant people (perhaps as a member of a voluntary or community organisation or support group)
• time to commit to the work of the group: attending meetings (about 1 day every 4-6 weeks), background reading, commenting on draft products etc.
• good communication and team working skills

The Centre for Public Health Excellence is recruiting separately for professionals such as public health professionals, dieticians and psychologists for this PDG so we are looking for people without this type of professional background to apply for community membership.

We are also recruiting for community members for a complementary topic on lifestyle weight management services for overweight and obese children and young people.

NICE code of practice: conflicts of interest policy

Appointments to the group will be made in accordance with the NICE code of practice and policy on conflicts of interest. All applicants need to formally declare their interests according to this policy. Applicants with personal pecuniary interests relevant to this guidance that could be regarded as prejudicing their contribution will not be accepted for membership of the PDG. For more information please read the Code of practice on declaring and dealing with conflicts of interest from the recruitment pack.

Time commitment

The development phase begins in September 2012 and will continue until November 2013. During this period, CPHE will host an induction meeting and up to 6 PDG meetings (see below). The meetings will be a mixture of one and two-day events held in London.

Date	PDG Meeting	Venue
19 September 2012	Induction	London
10 October 2012	PDG 1	London
21 November 2012	PDG 2	London
15 January 2013	PDG 3	London
26 and 27 February 2013	PDG 4 &5	London
18 September 2013	PDG 6	London

Support

Community members of the PDG are paid an attendance fee and reasonable travel, childcare or other carer expenses are also reimbursed. The Patient and Public Involvement Programme provide community members with dedicated and ongoing support.

Tax and benefits

Please note that attendance fees and reimbursable expenses are subject to the usual tax and benefit rules that apply to earned income.

How to apply

Please read the role description and person specification, information for applicants and recruitment pack using the links below. If you are interested in applying please complete and return the application form, equalities monitoring form and declaration of interest form.

• Community members role description and person specification
• Application form
• Information for applicants
• Recruitment pack (contains other relevant forms, policies and procedures)

If you have any questions or wish to discuss the role further, please contact Arrezou Carrier, ppiprecruitment@nice.org.uk.

Decisions about who to recruit to the Programme Development Group will rest with the NICE Centre for Public Health Excellence. Please note that submitting an application does not automatically guarantee a place on the group.

The following forms should be completed and returned:

• Application form
• Equalities monitoring form
• Declaration of interests form

If you would like to receive hard copies of any forms, please email or write to Arrezou Carrier. You will need to return the forms (either in hard copy or in electronic format) to:

Arrezou Carrier
Patient and Public Involvement Programme
NICE
MidCity Place
71 High Holborn
London
WC1V 6NA

Email: ppiprecruitment@nice.org.uk

Please return your completed forms by 5pm on 30 April

Equality and diversity

NICE is committed to the values of equality and diversity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

More information

• The proposed scope of this guidance project
• Patient and Public Involvement Programme
• Centre for Public Health Excellence