Head Of Fundraising And Marketing Compliance Volunteer Roles
Joining Respond as a Trustee - January 2024
Background Information
Founded in 1991, Respond is a national charity that seeks to transform the lives of people with learning disabilities and autistic people who have experienced trauma. We are committed to bringing about positive change for our clients and their families, enabling them to lead richer and more resilient lives.
Respond's services for children, young people and adults are:
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Survivors' psychotherapy
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Family support services
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Advocacy, including ISVA and domestic abuse services.
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Training, consultancy and reflective practice
Respond supports charities that campaign for equality and inclusion with the aim to prevent abuse and equip individuals and their families to come to terms with their experiences and live more positive lives.
Our specialist training, supervision, reflective practice and consultancy equips agencies and health / social care providers to deliver trauma-informed services. This includes responding to and providing consultancy and training for significant events such as institutional abuse.
Our income base is diverse with trust funds and grants continuing to be a vital part of maintaining core services Respond offers, alongside donations from trusts and foundations. We also continue to have larger ongoing or spot contracts for our work for NHS commissioners and local authorities.
It is a good opportunity to join Respond's Board at this time, following our restructure and as we move towards the last year of our current strategy for 2022-25. Following a challenging period due to changing funding landscape and closure of some services, we will be focused on consolidation and improving impact measurement to secure long-term financial sustainability.
The role of the Board of Trustees
The Trustees (or 'Board members') are trustees of the charity and directors of the limited company. They are responsible for the governance, setting the strategic direction and monitoring the implementation of the strategy. The Board ensures that the charity acts in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
The Board has responsibility for:
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ensuring the charity acts in accordance with its charitable purpose and is providing public benefit and meets its legal obligations;
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making decisions in the best interests of the charity;
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developing the multi-year strategy;
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monitoring the management of the finances and resources of the organisation (operations, budget, property, workforce and tenders);
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monitoring performance, quality and impact;
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appointing and appraising the CEO.
Who we’re looking for
Following a recent skills audit within the current Board, the Board is seeking trustees with the following skills or experiences;
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Finance - This person will have a financial qualification and will enable the Board to ensure the sound financial health of the charity. The person will collaborate with the Finance Director to ensure that the organisation has systems that meet sector best practice and ensures financial accountability. This trustee will be the Treasurer and chair the Finance Committee.
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Human Resources (HR) - This person will have experience in working in HR roles, preferably in the voluntary sector. This person will help review and strengthen Respond’s HR policies, set up and lead the people committee and guide the Leadership team in dealing with complex HR issues including change management.
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Fundraising, Marketing and Comms – This person will work closely with our Head of Development and Commissioning on our income strategy and communications strategy.
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Psychotherapy /working in a trauma informed setting – As an organisation providing psychotherapy and arts therapies for autistic people and people with learning disabilities, we are looking for a trustee with experience of working as a therapist with a systems-psychodynamic approach.
The Board wants to ensure that the charity's 'beneficiaries' are represented in its governance. We encourage applications from people who have lived experience of autism, learning disabilities and/or trauma-informed work (either directly or through family members). How the Board carries out meetings will also be reviewed to accommodate adjustments requested by new trustees with learning disabilities or who are autistic. (Please refer to a separate document if you or someone you know with lived experience may be interested)
Person Specification
The following knowledge, experience and skills are essential for the role:
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a commitment to the mission of Respond;
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senior experience, ideally including one or more of the following areas – finance, human resources, fundraising/marketing, legal, compliance, hard-to-reach communities, caring/social care, psychotherapy, commissioning.
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ability to identify creative solutions to problems within limited resources;
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good analytical skills;
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ability to think strategically;
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independence and flexibility in thinking;
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ability to communicate efficiently and connect with a wide range of people, internally and externally;
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a willingness to meet the minimum time requirement (see below);
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an understanding of the legal duties of trusteeship set out in the Charity Commission's 'The Essential Trustee'; and
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an ability to work effectively as a member of a team and to make decisions for the good of Respond.
Trustees will be expected to demonstrate the following personal attributes:
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good interpersonal skills including listening;
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commitment to excellence and high expectations of self and others;
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values people and the contribution of all stakeholders;
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sound judgment;
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team-oriented with a supportive approach.
Respond is dedicated to developing opportunities for Trustees to be appointed reflecting greater and varied diversity among our Board of Trustees, so we welcome applications by suitably qualified candidates irrespective of gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital or parental status, age, sexual orientation or gender identity. We particularly welcome applications from Black and minority ethnic candidates who are under-represented on the board.
What we offer
New trustees will:
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Receive induction and training;
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Develop new skills and competencies;
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Meet new people and develop professional networks;
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Contribute to ensuring that the charity offers high quality effective services to autistic people and people with learning disabilities who have experienced trauma, who are in need;
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An annual appraisal
Time requirement - What is involved?
Trustees attend eight Board meetings per year approximately every six-eight weeks currently on a Tuesday evening 5:30pm to 8pm. Meetings are in London, and remote access is available for trustees who live/work outside London.
Each Trustee is expected to be an active member of the Respond community, committing 5 to 10 hours per month to the charity which may also involve being on a sub-committee such as; Finance Committee, Clinical Governance and Safeguarding Committee each of which meets four times per year, typically during normal office hours online or in London.
Trustees are expected to attend an induction session at Respond prior to their first Board meeting. Trustees are expected to attend all Board meetings. Other meetings are away-days over a weekend.
Trustees are invited to the annual general meeting, which takes place typically in November.
Trustees may claim expenses incurred in effectively carrying out their duties, in accordance with Respond’s Trustee Expenses Policy.
Papers are distributed one week in advance of meetings. In addition, Trustees are expected to review documents and communicate with other board members and senior staff between meetings. Every effort will be made to ensure that trustees with learning disabilities or who are neurodiverse have access to documents in formats that they can understand or have the support available for them to fully participate as trustees.
Occasionally, circumstances may require urgent meetings (either face-to-face or virtual) to examine strategic issues or items requiring Board approval
Duration of the role
Board terms are for a five-year term following which the person can be elected to serve another three years.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Main duties and responsibilities
In addition to fulfilling the duties of a trustee, the Treasurer will maintain an overview of the organisation’s financial affairs in line with good practice and in accordance with the governing document and legal requirements. The Treasurer will ensure that effective and appropriate financial measures, controls and procedures are put in place and report to the Board at regular intervals about the financial health of the organisation.
Key tasks
- Overseeing, approving and presenting budgets, accounts, financial statements and financial reports to the Board after discussion with the CEO and other senior staff
- In conjunction with the CEO and Finance Manager to plan the annual cycle of financial reporting to the Board and (where appropriate) to sub-committees and to set the agendas for the finance component of meetings.
- Advising the Board on the financial implications of strategic and business plans.
- Providing assurance to the Board that the financial resources of the organisation meet its present and future needs, and recommending corrective action where this is not the case.
- Lead work on the development and implementation of financial policies, including reserves and (where appropriate) investment
- Ensuring equipment and assets are adequately maintained and insured
- Liaising with the charity’s auditors and advising the Board on the appointment or re-appointment of auditors
- Making a formal presentation of the accounts at the annual general meeting and drawing attention to important points in a coherent and easily understandable way
- Liaising with the company secretary and director of finance and resources to ensure that the charities annual accounts are compliant with the current Charities SORP
- Keeping the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities
The Treasurer also Chairs the finance and fundraising sub-group. FFSG is a principal group of the Staying Put board. Its principal objective is to assist the board to fulfil their functions by providing timely advice on areas within its remit. It is responsible for reviewing and overseeing the management and strategy of all finance and fundraising matters of the Staying Put group and includes the areas of audit and organisational risk.
Skills, abilities and personal qualities required
- Demonstrate relevant experience in financial management, preferably with a recognised accounting qualification.
- Ability communicate financial matters to non-financial colleagues so that all Trustees are able to fully understand the organisation’s finances, review options and make informed choices.
- Ability to analyse proposals and examine their financial consequences.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Analytical ability and good independent judgement and strategic thinking which ensures continual improvement and may challenge the status quo.
- A willingness to speak their mind and engage in open debate while working effectively as part of a team
- To be honest and objective in their scrutiny of the organisation, seeking to ensure that the quality of service to clients remains paramount at all times.
- Understanding and acceptance of the role of a Board for a charitable organisation (including the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship) and of the respective roles of the Chair, Trustees and the Chief Executive Officer.
- A commitment to the organisation and a willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to the role.
- A capacity to understand and empathise with the issues of concern for CAB.
- A commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
Role description – Board Member
In broad terms, the five key responsibilities for Staying Put board members are:
1. To ensure that the charity has a clear vision, mission and strategic direction and is focused on
achieving these
2. Being responsible, with the CEO and other trustees, for the charity’s performance and culture
3. Ensuring the charity complies with all legal and regulatory requirements
4. Acting as guardians of the charity’s assets by taking due care of their security and proper use
5. Ensuring that the charity’s governance is of the highest possible standard
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Join our team! We are looking for two new trustees to join Solving Kids’ Cancer UK on its journey towards a future where no child dies of the childhood cancer neuroblastoma or suffers due to the treatment they receive. We are particularly looking for one new trustee with personal lived experience of neuroblastoma.
Solving Kids’ Cancer UK is a very special charity with a dedicated and passionate team of staff and trustees – we are proud of our parent-led ethos, which means that parents with lived experience of neuroblastoma work at every level of our charity to help ensure we remain focused on addressing the challenges faced by the people who need our support most.
In your role as a trustee you will use your skills, knowledge, and experience to support and have accountability for the oversight of the charity’s activities at a strategic level. You will apply commitment, focus, effective communication, and team working to help the charity achieve the greatest impact for children and families.
Although this is a role with significant responsibility, please do not be put off applying. You will receive a great induction to help you settle in and plenty of ongoing support and guidance to become successful in your role. If you’d benefit from an informal chat before applying, please get in touch with Claire - you will find details in the Trustee Pack.
Summary of main responsibilities
Your overall responsibility as trustee will be to provide direction and stewardship for Solving Kids’ Cancer UK in support of its charitable aims, by:
· Setting the charity’s vision, mission, and values.
· Developing a strategy to achieve its objectives and monitoring its performance.
· Ensuring the charity seeks and considers the views of current and future users.
· Acting as guardian of the charity’s assets.
· Ensuring compliance with constitutional, legal, regulatory, and fiduciary requirements.
· Ensuring the charity’s governance is maintained to the highest possible standard.
You can find lots more information about the role and charity in the Trustee Pack.
Recruitment timetable
We aim to follow the schedule outlined below:
Applications close: 19 April 2024, 11:59pm
Shortlisting: End of April
Interviews: May – we will contact you to arrange a convenient time
Start date: ASAP but in agreement with successful applicants
If there are any adjustments that would help you to engage with the recruitment process, please let us know.
Safeguarding: As a safeguarding charity whose work and practice are underpinned by safeguarding principles to protect children and young people and enhance their welfare, we always work in accordance with legislation, statutory guidance, and best safeguarding practices. All our roles require a basic criminal record check.