Job Description
A contracted Ministry of Justice Approved Premises and Housing Charity working with released offenders on prison licenses and ex-offenders, to break the revolving door of re-offending, homelessness, and prison. Trustees will use their knowledge, experience, and skills in an environment they may not have previously encountered.
What will you be doing?
Trustees meet every two months with the Senior Management Team (SMT) at the Charity offices to monitor activities, finances, and development of the organisation, giving advice to the SMT and making such decisions as required to ensure the organisation is acting appropriately to meet the requirements of our stakeholders; Ministry of Justice, National Probation Service, Leeds Local Authority and within Charity Commission regulations.
The Organisation has grown rapidly, and it is essential that the Board of Trustees develops to meet the broad needs of this Charity.
New Trustees will contribute to the stability and support, advice, and opportunity that the Charity provides to enable vulnerable ex-offenders to do things differently and by offering their experience and specialist knowledge in the areas identified will add depth and breadth to the existing Board of Trustees.
Additional time and specialist advice given as and when required, will enable the SMT to respond effectively to new challenges and external changes as they occur whilst the SMT concentrate on the day-to-day work of the Charity and its staff.
New Trustees must want to make a difference to individual lives and wider society by supporting the SMT and staff to help those vulnerable ex-offenders with very specific and high-risk offending histories, who are being released from long or repeated prison sentences, to believe that they can live positive fulfilling lifestyles. It is essential that Trustees can view our service users with an open mind.
What are we looking for?
New Trustees are being sought with experience of Accounting and Auditing, Housing and Private Letting Legislation, accessing Funding opportunities, Police or Probation work, Mental Health, or Substance misuse fields.
It is vital that new Trustees have an affinity with the aims of the Charity and appreciate the value of giving individuals a chance to change their future and leave their offending lifestyle behind and the important role that stable accommodation plays in enabling individuals to turn their goals into reality.
Not all skills need to be specialist and an understanding of the barriers to prison release re-settlement, housing, employment, and stable relationships that many disadvantaged or vulnerable people in society face on a day-to-day basis is helpful.
Being able to work within a small team of Trustees and provide good interpersonal, supportive, and positive contributions is important.
If you feel you have valuable experience and skills to contribute and would like a new challenge, we'd love to hear from you.
What difference will you make?
The development and success of the organisation needs to be supported by maintaining the number of trustees and the range of expertise available to provide effective and sustainable governance going forward. In an environment where government policies and funding strategies are susceptible to change, a robust Board of Trustees will help to maintain the Charity's ability to provide and sustain an effective service.
This will thereby continue to increase the availability of stable accommodation with support; service user's ability to secure and maintain stable employment; build new relationships and increase access to healthcare and wellbeing support. As a result, this can lead to reduced reoffending, reduced prison population and cost to the taxpayer and therefore has potential to actively achieve public protection, reduce the impact of offending on victims, families and children of both victims and perpetrators and local communities.
Before you apply
Previous experience of Charity Governance would be useful but not necessary. Please contact us via Reach with any questions you may have, and we will be pleased to discuss the opportunity on offer.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Witness Service provides practical and emotional support and information to witnesses so that they feel valued, respected and informed and able to give their best evidence in court.
The role is court based and will involve providing support to witnesses, and their supporters, by explaining the court procedures and legal terminology, showing them around the courtroom before trial and sitting in the courtroom with them, when permitted.
What will you do?
- Give witnesses and their supporters emotional support, guidance and information at court (e.g. explain court procedures and legal terms, support them with completing expense forms).
- Show witnesses and others around the courtroom before a trial so they are familiar and at ease in the environment.
- Go into the courtroom with a witness on trial day if permitted.
- Identify additional support to which we can signpost or refer witnesses.
- Work as part of a team with other Witness Service volunteers and staff as well as liaising with court personnel.
What skills do you need?
You don’t need specific qualifications but you’ll need to:
- Be caring, mature, supportive and empathetic towards others.
- Be friendly and approachable with good listening and verbal communication skills.
- Be non-judgemental, impartial and have a confidential approach to supporting others.
- Have respect for the diversity of all people, which includes commitment to the service’s objective of ensuring equal access is offered to all witnesses and and their supporters.
- Be committed, trustworthy, discreet and prepared to adhere to Citizens Advice Witness Service standards to ensure we deliver a high standard of service to our witnesses and victims.
- Have the ability to handle challenging situations and use your initiative, experience and training to solve problems and make appropriate decisions.
Our volunteers come from a range of backgrounds and we particularly welcome application from people with physical or mental health conditions, and people from Black, Asian Minority Ethnic (Global Majority) and LGBTQIA+ communities. We are committed to offering a welcoming and inclusive environment to witnesses, staff and volunteers.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Volunteers support witnesses to give their best evidence at court. They provide practical informationl about the court processes and emotional support. The service is free, confidential, impartial and available to prosecution and defence witnesses.
No legal or court knowledge required. Full training provided and reimbursement of expenses. Excellent opportunity to contribute to the community, help others, meet people, learn new skills and gain an insight into the criminal justice system.
We are looking for volunteers who are friendly and empathetic and who have some time to offer during the week. Courts are open Mon to Friday 9-5 and we would be looking for 1 day per week, but welcome suggestions for more flexible arrangements.
Our volunteers come from a range of backgrounds and we particularly welcome applications from people with physical or mental health conditions, and people from Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) and LGBT+ communities. We are committed to offering a welcoming and inclusive environment to witnesses, staff, and volunteers
Look forward to hearing from you.