Trustee with SEND expertise

Help shape the future of specialist education for young people with vision impairment and complex needs.

About InFocus

Everyone deserves the opportunity to live their life to the full, with choice, independence and control.

At InFocus, we support young people and adults with vision impairment and complex needs, helping them discover what is possible. Our specialist services include further education, residential care, supported living and day services.

Our specialist further education college supports young people aged 16–25, helping them develop their skills, confidence and independence as they prepare for adulthood.

We are now looking for a new Trustee with significant expertise in specialist education and high-needs provision to join our Board.

This is an opportunity to bring your experience, insight and constructive challenge to a specialist charity making a meaningful difference to the lives of young people and adults.

About the role

We are particularly interested in hearing from people with:

• Significant experience of specialist education and high-needs provision, including learners with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) and complex needs.
• Experience in further education or post-16 specialist provision.
• A strong understanding of quality improvement, curriculum development and learner outcomes.

You may be a retired or recently retired Principal, Head of Specialist Provision, Director of SEND, Curriculum Leader or senior leader from a specialist FE college, post-16 provider or other specialist education setting.

Previous trustee experience is welcome but not essential. We are looking for someone who can bring relevant knowledge, experience and perspective to our Board.

What will you contribute?

As a Trustee, you will help provide strategic oversight, support and constructive challenge across our services, with a particular interest in the development and quality of our College.

You will join our Education Advisory Committee, working alongside the College Principal and colleagues to provide oversight of:

• Quality improvement and teaching and learning
• Curriculum development and learner outcomes
• Preparation for adulthood
• The quality and effectiveness of specialist provision

You will also contribute to the wider work of the Board, helping to shape the strategic direction and future development of InFocus.

This is an opportunity to use your experience to make a meaningful difference to young people and help shape the future of specialist education.

Time commitment and practical information

• The Board meets seven times a year.
• Trustees are encouraged to attend meetings in person, although some meetings can be attended online where required.
• Travel expenses are paid.
• Overnight accommodation can be arranged for trustees travelling from outside Devon.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for an experienced education professional who understands the opportunities and challenges of specialist provision and can bring thoughtful, informed challenge to our Board.

You will have a genuine interest in improving outcomes for young people with complex needs and a commitment to InFocus’s values and charitable purpose.

You do not need previous trustee experience. What matters most is the knowledge, experience and perspective you can bring.