Advisory Panel

The vacancy

We are seeking to appoint seven Advisory panel members for the following committees:

Companies Committee (one dispensing optician, one optometrist and one business registrant) 

Education Committee (one dispensing optician and one registered medical practitioner)

Registration Committee (one dispensing optician and one lay member)

Please note that applicants cannot be appointed to more than one committee.

About the GOC
We are the regulator for the optical professions in the UK. Our purpose is to protect the public by promoting high standards of education, performance and conduct.  

About the Advisory Panel
The Advisory Panel is a meeting of the four Council’s committees (Companies, Education, Registration and Standards) in plenary session. They are established by statute for the purpose of giving advice and assistance to Council (whether or not in response to a request from them) on:

· matters relating to business registrants other than matters required by the Opticians Act to be referred to the Investigation Committee, the Registration Appeals Committee or the Fitness to Practise Committee;

· matters relating to optical training, education and assessment;

· matters relating to registration, other than matters required by the Opticians Act to be considered by the Registration Appeals Committee; and

· matters relating to the standards of conduct and performance expected of registrants or those seeking admission to the register.

The committees and the Advisory Panel meet about twice a year. You can read the current terms of reference for the Advisory Panel, Education Committee, Registration Committee and Standards Committee.

Remuneration and time commitment

A daily fee of £319 will be paid. This is in line with our member fees policy and member fee schedule.  This is taxable and subject to Class 1 National Insurance (NI) contributions. It is not pensionable.

Members can claim expenses for travel and subsistence costs incurred on Council business as set out in our expenses policy.

This role is part time with a commitment of approximately 2-3 days per year, including time spent preparing for meetings.  Meetings will usually take place via MS Teams but may on occasion be held at the GOC Offices in London or other suitable venues.

We would welcome applications from individuals who are disabled and from diverse ethnic backgrounds as these are currently under-represented on our council and committees.

For more information about these roles please see the attached candidate information pack.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  midnight Sunday 06 April 2025.

Online interviews will be held on either week commencing 02 June 2025 and 09 June 2025.

We strive to be as diverse as the public we protect and welcome applications from everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity and geographical locations outside of London.