Organisation Overview
Space Youth Services delivers youth work, community projects and other services to ensure young people have the opportunity to succeed in Devon. They run 9 open access youth centres providing a wide range of activities for 11-19 year olds, run by youth workers. Alongside these sessions, they offer online youth sessions, education support services, street based youth work, 1-1 support, SEND sessions, and through their school, Chances, they provide short-term alternative education provision for students who are struggling in mainstream school.
Role Details
Attendance: In person in Devon.
Time commitment: Approx 30-40 hours per year.
Role Description
The role of Trustee
Becoming a Trustee for Space provides an exciting and challenging opportunity to help shape the future development of youth services across Devon and beyond. We are looking for candidates who will bring passion, drive and skills that will add value to Space. This expertise could include any number of skills beyond youth work, administration, management and teaching skills. All Trustees learn and develop on the job.
Don’t be put off if you think the role is daunting - there’s lots of support available.
Principal responsibilities
Trustees will:
1. Work closely with the Chair and other Trustees during their period of appointment
2. Ensure that Space complies with its governing document and pursues the objectives defined in it
3. Ensure that Space deploys resources exclusively in line with its objectives –the charity must not spend money on activities which are outside its objectives
4. Contribute actively to the Board’s role in giving strategic direction to the CEO and wider organisation, setting overall policy and evaluating performance
5. Safeguard the reputation and values of Space
6. Ensure the efficient administration of Space
7. Ensure Space’s sustainability
8. Protect and manage the property of the organisation and to ensure the proper investment of the organisation’s funds
9. Work with other trustees alongside the CEO to monitor his/her performance
In addition, and with other Trustees, each Trustee must hold the charity ‘in trust’ for current and future beneficiaries by:
1. Ensuring that the charity has a clear vision, purpose and strategic direction and is focused on achieving these
2. Being responsible for the performance of the charity and for its ‘corporate’ behaviour; ensuring that the charity complies with all legal and regulatory requirements
3. Acting as guardians of the charity’s assets, both tangible and intangible, taking due care over their security, deployment and proper application
4. Ensuring that the charity’s governance is of the highest possible standard
As well as the various statutory duties, any Trustee should make full use of any specific skills, knowledge or experience to help the Board make good decisions.
1 x Trustee with legal experience - To support us in navigating the legal aspects of our charity.
Required Skills and Experience
Essential skills and experience:
● Commitment to advocating for and implementing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion practices and challenging discrimination.
● An understanding or interest in the issues and opportunities facing young people from all backgrounds and a full understanding of how youth work can address and realise these
● An understanding of the challenges of leading an organisation in its development, or in periods of significant change
● Impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences
● Willingness to attend occasional daytime and evening events
● A passion for supporting young people to reach their potential.
● Experience of supporting a developing organisation that consistently evaluates and improves its services.
● The ability to monitor, understand and respond to national youth, education and other policies which impact on young people and their communities.
● Comfortable with ‘measured’ risk and innovation
● Willingness to attend Board meetings and be available for and respond to telephone calls and electronic communication from the Leadership Team of Space
● Great communication skills with an ability to influence and negotiate successfully - A ‘can do’ attitude
● Desire to lead and inspire a team of professional, committed and motivated staff
● Commitment to Space and a willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
● Preparedness to make unpopular recommendations to the board and a willingness to speak their mind
● Understanding the value of Space and willingness to grow awareness of the range of services on offer
● Ability to think strategically and creatively with good independent judgement.
● Ability to understand, analyse and challenge a range of information
● Willingness to be available to staff for advice and enquiries on an ad hoc basis
● An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
● An understanding of the roles of the Chair, Trustees and CEO
To apply for or express an interest in this position, please email bicenquiries@weareadvocate.org.uk
