At a glance

Skills

Governance
Strategic development and planning
Safeguarding

Where

Lytchett Matravers, BH16 6FA

Remote opportunity

Time

Mostly outside office hours Estimate of time needed:
0-5 hours / month or 1-3 hours / week Quarterly committee meetings, online board meetings every 3 months, with one in person per year

Deadline

13 Oct 2024

Visitors from Fifth Day

Welcome to Reach Volunteering. We are a community and registered charity that connects people, skills and good causes.

To apply for this role, and any other on our platform, you need to be based in the UK, have at least three years of experience using the skills you wish to volunteer in a professional capacity or have lived experience (for trustee roles). Read more about our criteria.

We are seeking to appoint a Trustee Safeguarding Lead to provide strategic oversight and leadership for the organisation, particularly in the area of Safeguarding.

What will you be doing?

The purpose of your role is to work alongside the other trustees to ensure that the Association is working towards its charitable purposes, is complying with all applicable rules and laws, and is making best use of its resources to achieve its aims.

Whilst safeguarding is the responsibility of all trustees, as Trustee Safeguarding Lead, you will provide support to the CEO and the Operational Safeguarding Lead in their operational roles, promoting safeguarding within the organisation and our affiliated Nightlines, providing a strategic, advisory and governance role.

What are we looking for?

Essential Criteria

Eligible to be a Company Director & Charity Trustee (see “eligibility” below)
Professional experience in a strategic safeguarding role
Excellent communicator, verbal and written – approachable, clear and professional
Strategic and creative approach – not being afraid to change the way we do things to improve outcomes
A strong team-player – a contributor of opinion and thoughts, whilst having the ability to collaborate and be accepting of others views
Logical approach to decision making – ensuring difficult decisions are taken calmly on the best available information, and with the beneficiaries of the charity in mind
Ability to chair meetings effectively and efficiently.
Ability to critically review safeguarding policy, practice and strategy, scrutinising quality assurance data and commissioning audits from the Operational Safeguarding Lead as needed.
Up to date knowledge of safeguarding related legislation and best practice guidance.
Commitment to the vision and aims of Nightline Association
Commitment to equality and diversity – seeking to ensure that Nightline best reflects the population it serves at all levels
Professional integrity – leading a culture of honesty, openness, fairness and trust
Willingness to give the minimum time commitment

Desirable Criteria

Strategy / business management with the ability to plan and develop the charity
Previous experience with a telephone helpline or mental health charity (or similar)
Managing and engaging volunteers and/or young people
Previous experience as a company director and/or charity trustee
Understanding of the Nightline movement and/or the wider student mental health sector

What difference will you make?

Being a charity trustee with the Association is a rewarding experience and gives a unique opportunity to support and shape a national mental health charity at the highest level. Now is an exciting time to join us as we have recently transitioned from a volunteer-led organisation to a staff-led model, which is opening up new opportunities.

Trustees have legal responsibility for the Association’s management and administration. They are ultimately responsible for the Association’s work and are accountable to both the Association’s legal members and its regulators such as the Charity Commission for the good governance of the Association.

Trustees take considered and informed decisions in the best interests of the Association. Trustees are not expected to be experts on all areas of their work but are expected to seek guidance and support where necessary and to bring their own knowledge and experience to contribute to discussions.