Equipment panel member

The Chronicle Sunshine Fund is a local charity that funds equipment to babies, children and young adults with disabilities, special educational needs and chronic and terminal illnesses. In order to be able to fund equipment; we need the input of specific professionals to be able to assess the applications that are submitted to us. This is a crucial part of the equipment process, and we couldn’t do it without our volunteer panel. Please note that clinical responsibility lies with the professional providing the assessment and supporting letters, not the panel members. The panel are vital in ensuring that the appropriate steps have been taken in terms of assessment of the equipment.

Panel Member Role Description:
- To attend the quarterly Equipment Assessment Meetings –either virtually or in person.
- To review the round of applications before the meeting takes place – a set of anonymised cover summaries are provided in advance of the meeting.
- To provide input and opinion on the requests for equipment. If unable to attend the meeting due to personal/professional commitments; to then provide their opinion on the request and feedback to Family Coordinator ahead of the meeting. This includes any concerns or points for discussion, agree to fund etc.
- To critically evaluate the evidence submitted by the professionals in the supporting letters and ensure that the equipment is appropriate, safe and beneficial.
- To ensure there is clear therapeutic rationale for the provision of the equipment.
- To use professional experience and knowledge to suggest alternative more suitable pieces of equipment or cheaper alternatives that meet the child’s needs.
- To assess in full the applications received and allocate one of the following status’: Agree, Agree in Principle, Defer, Decline.
- To be available to reply to ad hoc emails and give decisions for agreed in principle and deferred applications in a quick timescale (within 5 working days) post equipment meeting.

Panel Member Person Specification
Essential:
- Qualified Occupational Therapist with appropriate registration with professional body and/or insurance.
- Qualified Physiotherapist with appropriate registration with professional body and/or insurance.
- Qualified Speech and Language Therapist with appropriate registration with professional body and/or insurance.
- Qualified Teacher with appropriate registration with professional body and/or insurance.
- Qualified Medical Professional with appropriate registration with professional body and insurance.
- Knowledge of equipment specific to your role/profession that is used to support children with SEND.
- Knowledge of the local NHS/LA statutory provisions and systems within their area.