Aims and Objectives of the Group
- Develop and promote a professional specialism within dietetics
- Represent a defined group of members
- To keep Dietitians up-to-date on Paediatric Dietetics as appropriate
- To provide support when requested and able to members and outside bodies on paediatric nutrition
- To raise the profile of Paediatric Dietitians
- To be pro-active in engaging with outside bodies involved in childhood nutrition
- To continue running the Group’s Paediatric Masters Course Modules as both Masters modules with Plymouth University
- To audit our caseloads to provide information on caseload level management.
- To increase links with Department of Health, Food Standards Agency, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Royal college of midwives, Royal College of Nursing, Community practitioners and Health Visitors association, UNICEF and other relevant bodies
- To help fund activities within the Paediatric Group e.g. development of resources, running courses, support for research and audit
- To organise one study day per year
- To help keep members up to date via newsletter, website (discussion forum), Twitter and any other relevant social media platforms
- To continue updating and printing Paediatric Group leaflets with relevant groups and organisations
- To devise guidelines and position statements as relevant and keep a record with review dates
- To produce responses to relevant topical issues and consultations in a timely and constructive way
- To finance any work of the Group to develop paediatric dietetics
- To promote our diet sheets within the U.K. by attending conferences and advertising
- To encourage engagement of group membership to share in promotion of our profession and group
- To foster similar working relationships with all companies supplying paediatric nutritional products whilst working in partnership where appropriate to inform members and develop new products.
What the post has to offer
By becoming involved with a BDA Specialist Group you will have the opportunity to pursue your dietetic interests and gain practical experience. This role is key to ensuring that members are kept up to date with new policy and the Group have an input into development of policy. Through this position you will gain communication and project management skills, which can translate directly into career development. It will also give you an opportunity to work with colleagues within your speciality, sharing knowledge and skills.
Main duties and responsibilities
- Work with the Professional/Policy Officer on the development of policy statements, toolkits and any other Group resources that aid members working in paediatrics.
- Ensure regular horizon scanning and key highlights are communicated to members, including key policies and developments impacting paediatric dietitians
- Work with the BDA External Affairs Team on engaging key stakeholders, politicians and groups to influence key paediatric policies.
- Understand the key issues impacting paediatric dietetics and ensure these are represented and fed back to the committee for discussion and action if required.
- Work with the Professional/Policy Officer to manage the Group’s involvement with NICE. Receive notifications, call for responses/involvement and co-ordinate responses if required. Work with the Group Communications Officers to ensure this work is promoted.
- Deputise for the Professional/Policy Officer in their absence.
Training Support and Resources
You’ll work closely with the Volunteer Manager and the committee who offer support, guidance and advice to the postholder. Support for this role is offered by key committee members including the Chair, Vice Chair, Education and Policy Officers who work as a team to set strategy, determine priorities and lead the committee to success.
We have a variety of resources, tools and training available to support this role including:
- Induction with BDA staff and a full handover from the previous postholder.
- Training and development opportunities to help build personal and professional skills including workshops, webinars and the BDA’s annual volunteer conference.
- Strategic finance training to help you build strategic finance, business planning and budgeting skills.
- Access to our volunteer handbook and volunteer hub providing a range of resources and guidance.
- Regular communications including a monthly volunteer ezine with BDA updates and opportunities.
- Networking with other volunteers through events, webinars and access to our volunteer forums.
Length of service and commitment
You will be elected for a two-year term of office and have the option to extend for an additional two-year term.
Committee meetings are held regularly throughout the year and can be attended virtually if required. There is a varying and flexible amount of work in between meetings which is dependent on the strategy, workplans and projects agreed to by the committee.
The specialist group holds a minimum of one event for members a year which includes the Annual General Meeting, it is typical for the committee to attend these events.
Appointment method
To apply for this role please submit a nomination. Nominees must be a member of the group and provide the names and signatories of two BDA members to support their nomination.
If you would like an informal, confidential discussion about the role and the nomination process, please contact the group chair, Heather.