Who we work with in BRACE

Steering Group members are asked to contribute their time and expertise, and to adhere to the following principles:

• An interest in the Centre, its purpose, operation, outcomes and wider context
• A commitment to working with other members respectfully and constructively
• Acting as a champion for BRACE, its work and outcomes
• Maintaining the confidentiality of any information provided on a confidential basis.

Membership and operation

1. The Steering Group will consist of no more than 18 members, at least 75% of whom must be independent (i.e. not part of the same institution as any of the applicants or members of the Centre team).
2. Membership is individual, not institutional. Therefore, in a situation whereby a member of the steering group is unable to attend, they are not permitted to ask a colleague from their organisation to attend on their behalf.
3. Members will serve for a period of at least three years; they can serve for the full five years of the Centre’s operation if they wish.
4. Membership of the Steering Group will be reviewed periodically and, in consultation with existing members of the Group, new members may be invited to join.
5. Members may terminate their post by writing (by email or letter) to the Chair of the Steering Group.
6. The Steering Group will meet twice a year, with informal communication and consultation by email, video call or telephone, in between these meetings.
7. Meetings of the Steering Group will be quorate if at least the following are present: Chair or Deputy Chair, four independent members, two representatives of the BRACE team.
8. The BRACE Centre Manager will be responsible for arranging the administrative support for Steering Group meetings.
9. At the beginning of each meeting, members must declare any conflicts of interest that may exist e.g. applications for funding, formal working partnerships with NHS providers and other relevant organisations.
10. If Steering Group members are unable to resolve any concerns raised within meetings, it will be the responsibility of the Chair to approach the NIHR for further guidance.
11. The role of Steering Group member is unpaid, but the Centre will reimburse members for all reasonable costs incurred in fulfilling their role (e.g. travel and subsistence costs).
12. All proceedings and action points will be minuted; minutes will be formally signed off by the Steering Group Chair and BRACE Director.
13. BRACE will publish details of its Steering Group on its website including membership and terms of reference.

Duties of the Steering Group

1. Ensure clarity in the direction and focus of the BRACE Centre, ensuring that it delivers against its key objectives.
2. Advise the BRACE Executive team on strategic and operational plans, and oversee delivery against those plans, including helping the Centre team to identify and pre-empt problems.
3. Assess and assure the role and extent of stakeholder (including public and patient) involvement in the work of the Centre, in accordance with the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion.
4. Provide an independent, experienced opinion if conflicts arise between the needs of the Centre, the funder, participating organisations and/or any other agencies.
5. Provide critical challenge and input into processes of scoping/design.
6. Comment and advise on project proposals and outputs/reports, ensuring that BRACE projects and their findings meet the core aims of rapidity, rigour, relevance and responsiveness.
7. Ensure appropriate independence and robustness of the research and analysis undertaken within individual projects and across the work of the Centre.
8. Provide advice and guidance to help maximise the reach and impact of dissemination activities, and support those activities by cascading information (e.g. about new reports/outputs) through their organisations and associated networks.
9. Be available to provide advice and expertise as required, not just when Steering Group meetings are scheduled.