Form

Information pack (BSL and English)

Published 10 July 2025

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

British Sign Language (BSL) version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naHWdM1AMRg

Ministerial foreword

Thank you for your interest in the BSL Advisory Board. 

Since I took up my role in July last year, I have met a wide range of Deaf and disabled people and their representative organisations. This government is committed to improving the lives of Deaf people and making sure their views and voices are at the heart of everything we do.  

The BSL Advisory Board, led by co-chairs Craig Crowley MBE and senior civil servant Alexandra Gowlland, has been supporting the work of this government by providing advice on the key issues impacting BSL users and the Deaf community more widely. I have been impressed with what the Board has achieved in its first 3 years, drawing on its members’ experience, and on their knowledge of the key issues facing Deaf people.

I’m looking forward to continuing to work with the BSL Advisory Board as we build on these strong foundations and work even more closely  with government departments to achieve real improvements to Deaf people’s lives.

Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms MP
Minister for Social Security and Disability

Overview

The British Sign Language (BSL) Act 2022 (‘The BSL Act’) received Royal Assent on 28 April 2022. It was introduced to the House of Commons as a Private Members’ Bill by Rosie Cooper MP and gained cross-party and government support.

The BSL Act legally recognises BSL as a language of England, Scotland and Wales (but not Northern Ireland, where equality law is devolved). It also requires the government to report on the use of BSL by the ministerial departments named in the schedule to the BSL Act, in their public communications.

A non-statutory board of mainly BSL users was established in March 2023. Its role is to advise the government on matters of importance to Deaf people and on implementing the BSL Act. The BSL Advisory Board is currently co-chaired by Craig Crowley MBE FRSA and a senior civil servant. The Board aims to make sure the voices and views of Deaf people across the UK are at the heart of the work of the UK government.

There are currently 17 Board members and 2 co-chairs. All of the Board members are Deaf BSL users or the family members of Deaf BSL users. The Board meets every 3 months and currently has 4 sub-groups that also meet every 3 months.

These are voluntary positions held alongside the chairs and members’ usual jobs. While acting as a BSL Board Member you are an unpaid volunteer. You are not an employee or worker for the Disability Unit (DU). 

Co-chair: about the role

The independent co-chair will be expected to:

• provide a vision and strategy for the BSL Advisory Board to meet its long-term objectives.
• evaluate the existing BSL Advisory Board structures for effectiveness and best practice
• engage with the Deaf community to understand their views
• set the agenda for meetings, supported by the secretariat  
• jointly convene and facilitate Board meetings, allowing genuine dialogue to take place while ensuring the pace of the meeting is maintained  
• represent the Board and its work at other government meetings and external stakeholder meetings as required
• ensure every member has a fair opportunity to be heard and that no views are ignored or overlooked
• approve written and translated minutes before publication
• support members in understanding issues where needed
• endeavour to achieve a consensus of opinion when it is needed
• support the secretariat to ensure all Board members adhere to the terms of reference

Person specification

We are looking to recruit someone who can bring the following to the co-chair role:

Essential criteria

A strong demonstration of involvement in the D/deaf and Deafblind community. 

Knowledge of BSL as a language, its role in enabling the inclusion of Deaf people and its cultural importance.

Exceptional leadership skills.

Ability to effectively communicate strategic plans, and recommendations to diverse audiences.

Experience of chairing meetings, ensuring all views are captured, explored and decisions are made based on sound judgement.

Ability to remain calm and facilitate effective discussion involving a range of opinions and achieving good participation.

Ability to remain objective and retain an overview.

Desirable criteria

BSL or tactile BSL, preferably as their first language.

Experience of working with the government in an advisory capacity.

See the full role description and person specification, including a BSL version.

Board member: about the role

As a member you will be expected to:

• share your lived experience of being a BSL signer or have lived experiences of BSL-related issues and the challenges you may have experienced
• be an advocate for the work of the Board and seek views and input from the Deaf community
• share ideas on how to improve the lives of Deaf people and help to scope out practical solutions and suggestions
• be a member or leader of sub groups focused on specific issues
• work collectively with fellow Board members to guide development of guidance for ministerial departments
• review and comment on materials produced by, or for, the Board as well as helping to draft content where needed in a timely manner
• work collectively to guide how the Board approaches wider issues affecting the Deaf community
• propose topics for discussion based on your understanding of the priorities of D/deaf BSL signers
• adhere to the [terms of reference] behaviours, code of conduct and role requirements

Person specification

Essential criteria

Knowledge of BSL as a language, its role in enabling the inclusion of Deaf people and its cultural importance.

An understanding of D/deaf culture and the D/deaf community and the barriers faced by D/deaf people.

A willingness to work collaboratively with fellow members to help government be more accessible.

Desirable criteria

Experience of being on a committee where you have had to work collaboratively to get results.

A good ability to communicate with the Deaf community.

Experience of working in sectors where Deaf people face barriers that you could use to support the work of the Board.

Being a member of an organisation or network or group which could provide you with insights you could feed in, or a network of contacts you could share information with.

Experience and/or understanding of the issues faced by Deaf people in specific areas – some examples include health and social care, education, technology, justice system, employment or Deafblind access.

See the full role description and person specification, including a BSL version.

How to apply

Read more about how to apply (in BSL and English).

Recruitment process

Once submissions have been received, successful candidates will be invited for an interview. Interviews are held online or in a fully accessible venue. BSL interpreters will be provided for the interview.

The selection panel submits its recommendations for appointments to the Minister for Social Security and Disability. The minister may also wish to meet some or all of the candidates recommended by the selection panel.

All information will be treated in the strictest confidence. Applications submitted in BSL will be translated by an interpreter. Some information will be used to prepare the press notice of successful appointees. We will clear any information used first.

Standards of conduct and conflicts of interest

Chairs and Board members must show commitment to the Seven Principles of Public Life, also known as the ‘Nolan Principles’. The co-chair and board members will also be required to adhere to the terms of reference of the BSL Advisory Board.

The role of co-chair and Board members does not involve:

• promoting individuals, individual organisations, personal opinions, or building your own business alliances
• progressing personal queries, casework, or disputes – these should continue to be taken up with the relevant department or service provider in the usual way
• undertaking any work or action in the name of the BSL Advisory Board that would bring the BSL Advisory Board into disrepute – any requests to undertake media or conference presentations should be cleared by BSL team ahead of time

Equal opportunities

We are committed to equality of opportunity, irrespective of:

• race
• nationality
• colour
• ethnic or national origin
• disability
• religion
• sex
• marital status
• sexual orientation
• Age
• Socio-economic background
• gender assignment
• work pattern
• membership or non-membership of a trade union

Data protection

We take our obligations under the Data Protection Act seriously. Any information about you will be held in secure conditions. Access is restricted to those who need it in connection with dealing with your application and the selection process.

Data may also be used to monitor the effectiveness of the recruitment process. In these circumstances, all data will be kept anonymous.

If your application is unsuccessful, your personal data will be destroyed after 12 months.