We are seeking an inspiring and strategic individual to lead our Board of Trustees as Chair. This is an exciting opportunity to join an organisation committed to ensure the voices of long term prisoners are heard, and to enable them to realise their potential.
The Chair is responsible for leading the Board of Trustees, ensuring that it fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of the organisation. The Chair’s role is also to work in partnership with the CEO, helping them achieve the aims of the organisation and to optimise the relationship between the Board and staff. (See also the Charity Commission’s Essential Trustee Guidance)
Key responsibilities
Strategy, Governance, and Financial Management
- Lead the Board in providing strategic direction to the Hardman Trust.
- Ensure, with Trustees, that the organisation operates efficiently and effectively to fulfil its objectives in compliance with relevant charitable and company legislation.
- Maintain careful oversight of any risk to reputation and/or financial standing of the charity and ensure that the Board regularly monitors that systems are in place to take advantage of opportunities and manage and mitigate the risks.
- Ensure that the Board fulfils its duties to ensure sound financial health of the charity, with systems in place to ensure financial accountability.
Board Leadership
- Ensure a high performing and effective Board through review of Board structure, Trustees and Board performance.
- Enhance the overall contribution of the Board, through mentoring of other Board members and encouraging participation in training/coaching/development.
- Review and ensure Trustees have the right skillsets, training and development to support effective governance of the organisation.
- Chair Board meetings inclusively, bringing impartiality and objectivity in the decision making process.
Support to Hardman Trust CEO
- Line manage The Hardman Trust CEO including annual performance reviews and regular check-ins.
- Maintain appropriate distance between the Board and the leadership team, but where necessary, provide support and guidance on operations.
- Work with The Hardman Trust CEO to support them to achieve the aims of the charity.
General Chair responsibilities
- Where appropriate, represent the Hardman Trust at meetings and events and act as spokesperson.
- Lead the Board in fostering relationships with external partners and potential funders/donors.
Person Specification
We want our Board to look like the world we serve and to have different voices within it. We know that diverse groups of people make better decisions. We are keen to hear from people who can bring perspectives or experiences often underrepresented in charity governance and how can help us progress our vision.
Essential
- Commitment to the Hardman Trust’s aims and values.
- Prior experience as a charity trustee and solid understanding of good governance practices.
- Experience (voluntary or paid) within the criminal or social justice sector at leadership level.
- Experience of chairing meetings, committees or boards.
- Robust planning and organisational skills.
- Willingness to devote time to carry out responsibilities.
- Sound independent judgment and strategic vision; ability to think creatively and challenge constructively.
- A collegiate attitude and willingness to work with others.
- Honesty, integrity and commitment to act in the best interest of the charity at all times.
Desirable
- Previous experience as a Chair in the charity sector.
- Expertise of lived experience of the justice system.
- Experience of charity fundraising and/or grant making.
- Understanding of the needs of people serving long sentences and of the systemic issues within our justice system .
- Experience of building partnerships and networks.
- Experience of public speaking and willing to represent the Hardman Trust externally.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Guardian Light Foundation & Guardian Light Enterprises Ltd
Location: Remote / Online
Commitment: Approx. 20 hours per month
Role Type: Volunteer
Reports to: Founder / Safeguarding Lead
�� About Us
Guardian Light Foundation is a mission-driven organisation supporting children, teenagers, and single-parent families affected by homelessness, abuse, trauma, and financial hardship.
Our counselling services operate in three tiers:
Tier 1 – Guardian Light Foundation
Free emotional support for vulnerable individuals.
Tier 2 & Tier 3 – Guardian Light Enterprises Ltd
Low-cost and paid counselling services that help fund our charitable programmes and expand access to professional mental health support.
To maintain the highest ethical and professional standards, we are seeking a Volunteer Clinical Supervisor to support our counselling team.
�� Purpose of the Role
The Volunteer Clinical Supervisor will ensure that all counselling delivered through Guardian Light Foundation and Guardian Light Enterprises Ltd is:
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Ethical
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Safe
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Trauma-informed
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Professionally supported
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Aligned with recognised counselling standards (e.g. BACP / UKCP frameworks)
You will provide clinical supervision, safeguarding oversight, and professional guidance to our counsellors and trainee counsellors.
�� Key Responsibilities
Clinical Supervision
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Provide supervision for volunteer and trainee counsellors
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Facilitate monthly or bi-monthly group supervision sessions
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Offer guidance on complex or high-risk cases
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Support counsellors with professional development
Safeguarding Oversight
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Support decision-making where safeguarding concerns arise
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Ensure appropriate boundaries and ethical practice
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Assist with risk assessments where needed
Professional Standards
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Help maintain high clinical standards across services
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Ensure alignment with recognised ethical frameworks
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Provide guidance on confidentiality, consent, and record keeping
Support for Tier Structure
Provide supervision for counsellors working across:
Tier 1 – Charity Counselling
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Crisis support
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Emotional wellbeing support
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Early intervention
Tier 2 – Low-Cost Counselling
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Structured therapeutic support
Tier 3 – Professional Counselling
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Longer-term therapeutic work
Programme Development
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Advise on counselling frameworks and policies
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Support development of safe referral pathways
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Provide input on improving service delivery
��️ Safeguarding Requirements
Because this role involves oversight of services supporting vulnerable individuals:
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Enhanced DBS Check (Volunteer) required
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Must follow Guardian Light safeguarding policies
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Work closely with the Safeguarding Lead when concerns arise
DBS checks will be conducted via our trusted partner Serve (Rushden).
�� Skills & Experience Required
Essential
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Qualified Clinical Supervisor
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Accredited or registered with a recognised body such as:
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BACP
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UKCP
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NCPS
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BABCP (or equivalent)
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Experience supervising counsellors or trainee therapists
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Strong understanding of trauma, safeguarding, and ethical practice
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Ability to support practitioners working with complex cases
Desirable
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Experience working with:
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Young people
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Domestic abuse survivors
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Trauma
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Vulnerable families
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Experience supporting trainee counsellors
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Experience working within charities or social enterprises
�� Personal Qualities
We are looking for someone who is:
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Compassionate and emotionally intelligent
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Ethical and professional
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Passionate about protecting vulnerable people
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Supportive but able to challenge constructively
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Committed to social impact
⏰ Time Commitment
Approximate commitment:
20 hours per month
This may include:
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Group supervision sessions
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Case consultation
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Safeguarding guidance when required
Flexible scheduling.
�� What You’ll Gain
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The opportunity to shape a growing counselling service from the beginning
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Meaningful impact on vulnerable lives
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Recognition as a key professional advisor to the organisation
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Networking with therapists, legal professionals, and social care specialists
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Opportunity to join the Advisory Board or Board of Directors
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Professional contribution toward social change
�� Structure of Services
Guardian Light Foundation
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Tier 1: Free counselling for vulnerable individuals
Guardian Light Enterprises Ltd
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Tier 2: Affordable counselling
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Tier 3: Professional counselling services that help fund the charity
This structure allows us to sustain our mission while expanding access to mental health support.
Non Charity Employer
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At Guardian Light Foundation, we restore hope for homeless children, teens and single parents scarred by abuse, harassment and homelessness.