Trustee with legal expertise

Organisation Overview

We are a Home-Start scheme working in the London Boroughs: Southwark and Lewisham. We provide high quality support for families with babies and children under the age of 5. We believe that the earliest years make the biggest impact, and we want to make sure those years count so that no child’s future is limited.

We provide emotional and practical support to families who are having difficulties managing parenting for a variety of different reasons. We help the parents to create happier lives for their children.

Role Details

Attendance: Hybrid (while majority of the meetings are held remotely, there are occasions when attendance in person would be expected).

Time requirements: Up to 6 days a year.

Role Description

A HSS Trustee should:

• Have time to commit to 6 board meetings a year, preparation and additional tasks to fulfil the role

• Have an understanding of and commitment to HSS’s work and ethos

• Have a strong personal commitment to equity, equality, diversity and inclusion

• Understand the confidential nature of HSS’s work, and safeguarding in the context of family support

• Have effective communication skills, and be prepared to participate in discussion at meetings, listening carefully, challenging sensitively, avoiding conflict, and accepting a majority decision

• Be reliable, and able to work as a member of a team

• Be willing to understand and accept the responsibilities of being a trustee, including whistleblowing if required

• Be prepared to undertake any training needed to fulfil the role.

The statutory duties of all trustees include:

• Ensuring that the organisation complies with charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations

• Maintaining financial control and ensuring that the organisation does not spend money on activities which are not included in its own objects, no matter how worthwhile or charitable those activities are

• Contributing actively to the Board of Trustees in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets

• Ensuring the financial stability of the organisation, protecting and managing any HSS property and ensuring the proper investment of HSS funds

• Drawing up and monitoring the implementation of internal policies which must include equality, diversity and inclusion, safeguarding, as well as health and safety policies and key human resources policies, including grievance and disciplinary policies

• Safeguarding the good name and values of the organisation and helping to maintain effective board performance

• Jointly with other trustees, holding the charity "in trust" for current and future beneficiaries.

Other responsibilities:

• To ensure the organisation fulfils its responsibilities as a good employer, and is an effective manager of its staff and volunteers

• To ensure children and vulnerable adults in contact with the organisation are safeguarded, including signing acceptance and understanding of the Home-Start Safeguarding/Child Protection Code of Conduct annually

• To advocate on behalf of HSS and use opportunities to talk and share positively about what we do and the difference we make

• To contribute actively to the HSS ambition to ensure equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do

• To develop relationships with members of the staff team to ensure they feel valued by board members and have an opportunity to influence board thinking and decision-making

• Take guardianship responsibility for agreed areas of organisational development where appropriate

• To actively engage in fundraising activities on behalf of HSS, employing your personal and professional networks to best effect

• To commit to participate in HSS Team meetings, organisational events and volunteer celebrations as appropriate.

Keeping children and families safe is of the highest importance to Home-Start Southwark, so potential trustees are subject to vetting procedures and an enhanced level Disclosure & Barring Service criminal records check

Required Skills and Experience

We are particularly looking for a Trustees with expertise in the areas of HR (employment law) and legal.

To apply for or express an interest in this position, please email bicenquiries@weareadvocate.org.uk