A case study illustrating the creative steps taken by the Scottish Qualifications Authority, particularly during planning and assessment, during an appointment round in 2023.

A case study illustrating the creative steps taken by NHS Grampian, particularly in their outreach activity, during an appointment round that commenced in August 2022.

There is no one size fits all to producing diverse and effective boards, and the 2022 Code encourages new and innovative ways of running appointment rounds. It is important that approaches taken are tailored to the specific posts being advertised for, and where new ways of working have proven to be effective, good practice case studies can aid selection panels faced with similar circumstances – to use, learn, adapt and improve upon. The current ‘snapshot’ case study aims to review good practices coming out of the publicity of appointment rounds, and provide examples of what selection panels have done well within it. The case studies use appointment rounds concluded within the last 12 months and their associated end of round reporting material to inform their content.

There is no one size fits all to producing diverse and effective boards, and the 2022 Code encourages new and innovative ways of running appointment rounds. It is important that approaches taken are tailored to the specific posts being advertised for, and where new ways of working have proven to be effective, good practice case studies can aid selection panels faced with similar circumstances – to use, learn, adapt and improve upon. The current ‘snapshot’ case study aims to review good practices coming out of the formal planning stage, and provide examples of what selection panels have done well within it. The case studies use appointment rounds concluded within the last 12 months and their associated end of round reporting material to inform their content.

This report summarises an exercise in planning, attraction and assessment. The combination of good practices helped to attract a quality field of applicants from a wide and diverse pool of people not normally attracted to apply for board roles.