Jan Wright Consulting

 Jan Wright: CV at July 2017

Email: jfm.wright@btinternet.com   Mobile: 07960 969 905

 Qualifications

Qualification in Social Welfare Law

Part-time LLB level course included study of the following: the legal system of Northern Ireland; statutory interpretation; jurisprudence; plus specific modules on contributory and non-contributory welfare benefits, housing law, individual and collective labour law, matrimonial law, and the law and children.

M.Sc. in Social Policy, Research and Administration

Master’s degree included detailed study of the ‘politics’ of poverty and the varying perspectives on the role of social welfare/the welfare state; social research methods [quantitative and qualitative]; and stand -alone modules on the Northern Ireland administration of health, housing, and education.

NVQ L3 ‘Roles, Responsibilities and Decision Making on Public Sector Boards’

NIOCN NVQ L3 : ‘Roles, Responsibilities and Decision Making on Public Sector Boards’: 12 week course included 'Nolan' principles of good governance in the NI public sector, effective leadership, collective and consensual decision making, probity re expenditure of public monies.

Overview of employment history

Dates

Organisation

Role

Sept 2015 – March 2016

Housing Rights

Policy/research/evaluation support to CEO

April 2007 – June 2015

Changing Faces

NI Development Manager

Sept 2004 – present

Jan Wright Consulting

Independent research and evaluation consultant/ sole trader

July 2000 – May 2004

Community Fund/Big Lottery

Head of Policy and Research for NI

April 1993 - June 2000

Housing Rights Service

Head of Training and Information

Sept 1985 - March 1993

NIACRO

CJS/ welfare rights co-ordinator 

Detailed employment history 

Housing Rights www.housingrights.org.uk is a Northern Ireland wide charity providing advocacy representation, information, training and evidence based research and policy comment on all aspects of Northern Ireland housing law and related legal issues.

Duration: Sept 2015 – March 2016 [temporary casual hour contract]

Role: Policy/research/evaluation support to CEO/Director

Duties: Working with legal/casework, PR and Communications directorates, plus service user fora, role included: production of organisation’s response to NI Assembly ‘Houses in Multiple Occupation Bill’ and related support re hearings before the (then) Department for Social Development Housing Committee; preparation of evidence based policy comment materials on critical issues to be addressed by way of ongoing review of NI private rented sector - based on direct NI service user experience and by way of comparison with similar provisions in England, Scotland and Wales legislative provisions previously enacted ; review/evaluation of NIHE funded pilot project aimed at reducing homelessness on discharge from prison plus, as secondary outcome, extent to which the initiative could have potential to contribute to reduction in rates of recidivism; scoping and producing contextual desk research on potential funding opportunities for existing and possible future projects and initiatives; production of comprehensive policy and legislative information resources for legal/related housing professionals, para legal/lay advisers, re how (under current policy and legislative arrangements) to prevent client homelessness and enable sustainment of exiting accommodation.

Changing Faces www.changingfaces.org.uk until June 2015, UK wide charity working for and on behalf of children, young people, adults and their families with direct experience of disfigurement to any part of the face, hands and/or body – from any cause, congenital or acquired.

Duration: April 2007 to June 2015

Role: Northern Ireland Development Manager [25 hrs per wk, home office based].

Duties: Provision of information and advice to service users; developing both user and health professional volunteer champions/ambassadors to promote, via social/mass media, awareness of and support for CF; developing and maintaining effective working relationships with, inter alia, senior consultants/clinicians [e.g. burns, dermatology, plastics and reconstruction, oncology, prosthetics etc] and related health and social care professionals. Of foot of the transfer of the British Red Cross ‘Skin Camouflage Service’ to Changing Faces in Feb 2013, ongoing development of the service locally and management of the network of local specialist volunteer practitioners. Responsibility for lobbying and campaigning activitywith NI Assembly, Executive Ministers, relevant Scrutiny Committees, and statutory agencies e.g. the NI Health and Social Care Board, plus each of the Board Trusts.

Jan Wright Consulting

Duration:  Sept 2004 – present

Role: Home office based self- employed freelance consultant

Duties: For the past 13 years I have been working as a self-employed freelance management consultant focusing on evaluation and social research and working principally with voluntary/ charitable organisations. All commissions completed to date have routinely included, inter alia, assessment of external policy environment and project/initiative policy ‘fit’, achievement of funded aims, objectives, outcomes, impact, overall VFM etc, analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data and production of written evidence based conclusions and recommendations. In terms of qualitative analysis, I have specific and extensive experience of obtaining feedback from ‘difficult to reach’ populations [including children, young people and those with communication difficulties such aphasia/dysphasia: please see CV at Appendix 1 for details].  I have also undertaken ancillary work on communication planning/external relationship ‘messaging’. Since 2004 I have successfully tendered for, and completed on time and within budget, over 50 commissions.  I also work as a freelance associate with both Williamson Consulting www.williamsonconsulting.co.uk and CENI www.ceni.org (see also CV at Appendix 1]

Big Lottery Fund www.biglottery.org.uk operating as National Lottery Charities Board and thereafter Community Fund. Re-branded with New Opportunities Fund in June 2004 as Big Lottery

Duration: July 2000 to May 2004

Role: Head of Policy and Research for NI

Duties: Responsibility for providing NI specific evidence based research (quantitative and qualitative) to inform UK wide strategic policy objectives, as well as identifying, defining and formulating specific local priorities commensurate with overall programmes of funding; senior/upper level review of (grant team) peer reviewed recommendations for funding; decision making on applicant eligibility to apply for funding  (e.g. vires awards could only be made to charitable, philanthropic or benevolent organisations: in June 2000, introduced a ‘triage’ eligibility check process to enable potential applicant organisations to establish whether or not they were eligible to apply for funding in the first instance before completing the full detailed funding application); explaining (orally and in writing) decision making processes and criteria applied to unsuccessful applicants, frequently supported by political representatives; responding to PQs (by way of DCMS, the Fund’s sponsoring Department) and working with colleagues in both Belfast and London communication directorates re ‘lines’ to take on external messaging etc.

Housing Rights [see above]

Duration:  April 1993 to June 2000

Role: Head of training and information

Duties: Responsible for identifying/establishing, promoting and growing new income generating directorate providing specialist ‘audience specific’ general/generic and bespoke training on housing law and related legal issues. In this role I was also responsible for ‘quality control’ (including establishing accreditation/CPD points etc) of both training activity as well as all related information support materials e.g. training notes, hand-outs, further reading lists etc.  Planned and structured comprehensive new, ‘tiered’ membership scheme for voluntary, statutory and commercial sector (i.e. solicitors /barristers in private practice) agencies to maximise the charity’s income generation by way of sale of services. Role also included management of human, material and financial resources; drafting directorate and team member operational plans; undertaking research and producing evidence based policy/briefing papers to underpin campaigns/lobbying e.g. countering pejorative mass media reporting of lone parent, and young care leaver, access to social housing.

NIACRO

NIACRO www.niacro.co.uk is a Northern Ireland wide voluntary organisation working  to reduce crime and its impact on people and communities, with particular focus on children and young people at risk of developing a ‘criminal record’, as well as with offenders, ex-offenders/ex-prisoners and their families.

Duration: Sept 1985 to March 1993

Role: CJS/welfare rights co-ordinator 

Duties: Throughout a period of considerable social, political and prison related 'unrest' in NI, supervisory responsibility for colleagues providing advice, information, advocacy and representation casework service on welfare law, prison and criminal justice issues; provision of pre-release 1:1 and seminar advice in each of the (then) four NI adult prisons, and Hydebank Wood YOC. Between April 1986 and March 1990 I provided a dedicated advice, advocacy and representation casework service to prisoners’ families attending Belfast Crown Court and/or whose partner/relative was on remand or serving a sentence at HMP Belfast (Crumlin Road) prison. Between April 1990 and March 1993 I provided legal /welfare rights information and training as part of a team of multidisciplinary professionals (i.e. Probation Officers) to and for relevant voluntary and statutory sector agencies on subjects such as welfare benefits, housing rights, challenging adverse decisions in relation to Prison Rules, and issues associated with Life Sentence Review Board determinations.

Voluntary/pro bono work

I currently contribute my skills, experience and expertise as a volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Research Network www.alzheimers.org.uk/info/20063/patient_and_public_involvement/43/the_research as my mother for whom I cared alone and full time, has now had to enter residential care due to the worsening of her dementia. I routinely use Facebook, Twitter etc, to continue to promote the work of Changing Faces with respect to the charity’s overall work, specific campaigns, and identifying potential policy/lobbying opportunities with relevant NI stakeholders/key interest groups. In terms of grass roots/local community engagement I am both a volunteer with, and Board member of, Ballynafeigh Community Development Association since 2004 and have been Vice Chair since 2012. http://www.communityni.org/organisation/ballynafeigh-community-development-association

 List of commissions successfully completed

Date

Title

Commissioner

June – present

Review of ‘social prescribing’ https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/topics/primary-and-community-care/social-prescribing initiatives, particularly in NI, with a view to seeking funding to pilot similar in the Ballynafeigh/south Belfast area

Pro bono, for and on behalf of Ballynafeigh Community Development Association [BCDA] http://ballynafeigh.wix.com/bcda

Sept 2016 –Feb 2017

Qualitative in depth review of member services on foot of which, report outlining key conclusions and recommendations informing 2017-2020 Strategic Plan

Advice NI www.adviceni.net

June – August 2016

Scoping and analysis of potential funding opportunities for [i] continuation funding of pre-existing initiatives and [ii] seed funding for potential development of new ‘innovative’ programmes/areas of work

BCDA

April – June 2016

Scoping and analysis of potential funding opportunities for [i] continuation funding of pre-existing initiatives and [ii] seed funding for potential development of new ‘innovative’ programmes/areas of work

Housing Rights [HR] http://www.housingrights.org.uk

* Sept 2015 – Mar 16

 [Temporary casual hours policy and research work across a 6 month period which included, inter alia, Evaluation of the NIHE funded ‘Beyond the Gate’ pilot]

Housing Rights http://housingrights.org.uk/news/beyond-gate-helping-vulnerable-prisoners-resettle-community

June – August 2015

Economic value of return on funding investment re Northern Ireland voluntary advice sector

As associate, Williamson Consulting

http://www.williamsonconsulting.co.uk/services.htm

March – April 2015

Evaluation of peer Housing Advice in Prison programme: HMP Maghaberry

Housing Rights http://www.housingadviceni.org/advice-prisoners/support-prison-and-after-release

Jan – Mar 2015

Strategic review of South Belfast advice provision

BCDA

Oct – Dec 2014

Evaluation/economic appraisal of Willowfield Parish Halls

As associate, Williamson Consulting

March 13 - Dec 14

Evaluation of Alcohol Housing Support Project [for ex-offenders with multiple complex needs]

Extern http://www.extern.org/what-we-do/supporting-communities

Sept 12 - Jan 2013

Evaluation of phase 1 [April 2011 to Sept 2012] of second tranche ESF funding for Extern Recycle [ongoing longitudinal study]

Extern[rebranded as Extern Works] http://www.extern.org/what-we-do/extern-works

April/May 2012

Evaluation of peer ‘ Housing Advice in Prisons’ YOC/female prison HMP Hydebank Wood

Housing Rights

Feb/March 2012

Evaluation of Community Housing Advice Programme [CHAP] User Panel qualitative feedback

Housing Rights http://www.housingrights.org.uk/helping-professionals

Jan – March 12

Evaluation of pilot model for life sentence pre-release prisoners at HMP Maghaberry

Extern Recycle

Dec  2011

Data analysis and staff survey report

Advice NI  http://www.adviceni.net

July – Nov 2011

Evaluation of 4 Good Morning services: [North Belfast, West Belfast, ‘RECALL’ and ‘Colin’]

As associate, Williamson Consulting

May - Nov 2011

Preparation of Derry City Council Community Support Plan

As associate, Williamson Consulting http://www.goodmorningni.org

April 2011

Facilitation of focus groups re Regional Strategy for Practice Learning Provision 2010-15

Partnership Care West

http://www.brysoncarewest.org

April-May 2011

Production of strategic positioning paper re Recycle initiative on foot of evaluation reports [below]

Extern Recycle

Jan – April 2011

Summative evaluation of Yrs1-3 of ESF funded  ‘Recycle’ programme

Extern Recycle

Sept  – Dec 10

Formative evaluation of Yr 2 of ESF funded  ‘programme

Extern Recycle

June  2010

‘Fit for Purpose’: critical review of advice provision in South Belfast

BCDA

April/May 2010

March 2010

Evaluation of ‘peer’ housing advice in prisons initiative at HMP Maghaberry

Facilitation of Community Housing Advice Project User Panel [e.g. feedback on services etc] and report

Housing Rights

Housing Rights

Jan –March 10

Formative evaluation of Yr 1 ESF funded  ‘programme [for life sentence prisoners on pre-release, homeless people and those with substance abuse issues]

Extern Recycle

Jan/Feb 2010

Review of Phase 1 [Oct 09- Jan 10) of Castlereagh Borough Council independent advice service provision contract

Advice NI

Nov/Dec 2009

Consultation and preparation of agreed response to DSD advice sector consultation

South Belfast Independent Advice Working Group [lead agency: BCDA]

September 2009

Facilitation and recording of feedback generated at initial Interdependence Project ‘away days’

BCDA

May 2009

In depth quantitative and qualitative study of NI ‘specialist’ advice provision

Advice NI

March 2009

Report analysis of ‘Best Value Performance Indicators’ re housing advice provision survey feedback

Housing Rights

Sept/Oct 08

Evaluation of ‘Journeys Outreach’ programme :EU funded initiative to promote skills development of disadvantaged women in urban and rural areas

BCDA

June/August 2008

Evaluation of ‘DYNAMO’ programme: EU funded initiative to promote skills development of disadvantaged people/groups

BCDA

June 2008

Part of team evaluating Belfast City Council’s ‘Conflict Transformation Project’

As associate, Williamson Consulting

May/June 2008

Evaluation of peer ‘ Housing Advice in Prisons’  at HMP Magilligan

Housing Rights

Mar/April 08

CHAP User Panel - facilitation and evidence based feedback report

Housing Rights

October - Dec 07

Evaluation of Shopmobility Bangor (accessible transport for those with limited /no mobility).

Shopmobility  http://www.shopmobilityni.org

Sept  07- Feb 08

Evaluation of ‘Parent and Child Support’ – a pilot project to provide support for prisoners’ families as a distinct group in their own right, and to engage with others to reduce intergenerational effects of offending behaviour.

NI Association for Care and Resettlement of Offenders [NIACRO] http://www.niacro.co.uk

March -June 07

Evaluation of ‘Reconnect’ – a project for young people excluded from education, disengaged from training and facing barriers to employment due to offending behaviour

NIACRO

Jan - April 07

Evaluation of two joint Oaklee Housing Association /NI Association for Mental Health] projects providing specialist support to enable vulnerable older tenants to maintain their tenancies and independence [Whiterock, Belfast and The Rosses, L’Derry]

Oaklee Housing Association [now Choice Housing https://www.choice-housing.org]

NIAMH http://www.niamhwellbeing.org

Dec 2006

Facilitation of Strategic Planning Review, production of revised Strategic Plan

East Belfast Independent Advice Centre [EBIAC]http://www.ebiac.org

Nov 06- June 08

Formative and summative evaluation of two NIACRO [ESF funded] projects to increase the employability of ex-offenders

As associate , Williamson Consulting

Oct- Nov 06

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of Law Centre NI training provision

Law Centre NI

http://lawcentreni.org

Sept 06- Mar 09

Formative and summative evaluation of two distinct BIG Lottery funded projects for stroke survivors, and their families, with experience of aphasia/ dysphasia

Speechmatters [now Stroke Association NI]

https://www.stroke.org.uk/what-we-do/our-work-nations/northern-ireland

June- Aug 06

Needs assessment; production of recommendations to identify funding priorities and establish systems and procedures for allocation of Youth Council grant aid

As associate, Williamson Consulting

 April 2006

Production of policy and procedural referral documentation re CAPS project [see below, evaluation report]

NIACRO

Jan -March 06

Primary research and analysis of support service needs of prisoners' families in Northern Ireland

NIACRO

January 2006

Review analysis of Advice NI Quality Standards and Systems project

Advice NI

Sept - Dec 05

Evaluation of ‘Child and Parent Support’ [CAPS] project –an early intervention programme providing intensive support services to families whose children [aged 8-12] at risk of anti-social and offending behaviour.

NIACRO

July – Sept 05

Evaluation of NVQ Assessment Centre and related training provision

As Associate, CENI  www.ceni.org

July –Aug  05

Summative evaluation of services delivered by Shopmobility Belfast for older people with limited or no mobility

As Associate, CENI

April- July 05

Evaluation NIACRO Mentoring Programme for young people aged 13-18 'at risk'. Initiative also included youth conferencing

As Associate, CENI

March 2005

Editing research report “Balances along the Border” A Gender Audit in NI  and the six Southern Border Counties

Women Educating for Transformation

Jan 05 -Dec 05

Monthly mentoring support to Head of Training and Development

Advice NI

Jan/Feb 05

Interim evaluation of  Shopmobility Belfast services funded over 3 years by Community Fund [now Big Lottery]

As Associate, CENI

Sept - Dec 2004

Evaluation of Advice NI pilot project providing e-consultation support  for independent advice sector members

As Associate, CENI