SIWG 2

Purpose of role:

To represent their faith organisations and/or community group views by working together with other faith groups and the Council to support the wider community of Southend through faith-based interventions.

The role of representatives on the Southend Interfaith Working Group will include the following:

• Raising the profile of the Southend Interfaith Working Group in a way that highlights the value, diversity and contribution of the Group by working in partnership with the Council.
• To represent the views of their faith organisations and or communities represented in progressing equalities.
• Being a voice for local faith communities and reflecting the range of views and experiences held by representatives of the Group.
• Influencing and working collaboratively to deliver outcomes beneficial to local faith and wider communities of Southend.
• To help facilitate access better access to council services and increased understanding of what services are delivered by local faith communities.

Key responsibilities and tasks:

In order to fulfil this role Group members will be expected to:

• Regularly attend Group meetings and to participate in any other associated sub group, events or training. Where a representative cannot attend it is their responsibility to ensure a deputy is appointed who can act on their behalf.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the Group’s interests and views through regular attendance.
• Report and feedback information from Group meetings to the respective faith organisations and/or community groups.
• Liaise and co-ordinate with Group representatives and with other working group representatives as required.
• Undertake training in support of this representational role, including training around equality and diversity practices.

Code of Conduct:

• Representatives should ensure that their contact details are up-to-date and made readily available to groups/agencies with whom they will need to liaise.
• Representatives are expected to reflect the broader views of the Group over and above the interests of their personal or organisation’s view.
• Representatives should be aware of, and declare, potential conflicts of interests.
• Awareness of tensions, and sensitivity to the needs and issues arising from a diverse environment and communities.