Space Youth Service Trustee
About the job
Deadline for application: Open until appointment
Interview Date: Following weeks after applying
The role of Trustee
Becoming a Trustee for Space provides an exciting and challenging opportunity to help shape the future development of youth services across Devon and beyond. We are looking for candidates who will bring passion, drive and skills that will add value to Space. This expertise could include any number of skills beyond youth work, administration, management and teaching skills. All Trustees learn and develop on the job.
Don’t be put off if you think the role is daunting - there’s lots of support available.
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The Board currently comprises ten Trustees, seven Independent Trustees (including the Chair) and three Staff Trustees (including the CEO). We have recently amended our Articles to allow for more Independent Trustees. These are part-time, voluntary roles, requiring a commitment of approximately one day per month. As a Board member you will be both a Director of the company and Trustees of the charity. This will entail having duties and responsibilities under company law and charity law. Whilst not onerous these must be taken seriously. More information regarding being a Trustee and the duties and responsibilities involved can be found here
Principal responsibilities
Trustees will:
Work closely with the Chair and other Trustees during their period of appointment
Ensure that Space complies with its governing document and pursues the objectives defined in it
Ensure that Space deploys resources exclusively in line with its objectives –the charity must not spend money on activities which are outside its objectives
Contribute actively to the Board’s role in giving strategic direction to the CEO and wider organisation, setting overall policy and evaluating performance
Safeguard the reputation and values of Space
Ensure the efficient administration of Space
Ensure Space’s sustainability
Protect and manage the property of the organisation and to ensure the proper investment of the organisation’s funds
Work with other trustees alongside the CEO to monitor his/her performance
In addition, and with other Trustees, each Trustee must hold the charity ‘in trust’ for current and future beneficiaries by:
Ensuring that the charity has a clear vision, purpose and strategic direction and is focused on achieving these
Being responsible for the performance of the charity and for its ‘corporate’ behaviour; ensuring that the charity complies with all legal and regulatory requirements
Acting as guardians of the charity’s assets, both tangible and intangible, taking due care over their security, deployment and proper application
Ensuring that the charity’s governance is of the highest possible standard
As well as the various statutory duties, any Trustee should make full use of any specific skills, knowledge or experience to help the Board make good decisions.
Person specification
Essential skills and experience:
Commitment to advocating for and implementing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion practices and challenging discrimination.
An understanding or interest in the issues and opportunities facing young people from all backgrounds and a full understanding of how youth work can address and realise these
An understanding of the challenges of leading an organisation in its development, or in periods of significant change
Impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences
Willingness to attend occasional daytime and evening events
A passion for supporting young people to reach their potential.
Experience of supporting a developing organisation that consistently evaluates and improves its services.
The ability to monitor, understand and respond to national youth, education and other policies which impact on young people and their communities.
Comfortable with ‘measured’ risk and innovation
Willingness to attend Board meetings and be available for and respond to telephone calls and electronic communication from the Leadership Team of Space
Great communication skills with an ability to influence and negotiate successfully - A ‘can do’ attitude
Desire to lead and inspire a team of professional, committed and motivated staff
Commitment to Space and a willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
Preparedness to make unpopular recommendations to the board and a willingness to speak their mind
Understanding the value of Space and willingness to grow awareness of the range of services on offer
Ability to think strategically and creatively with good independent judgement.
Ability to understand, analyse and challenge a range of information
Willingness to be available to staff for advice and enquiries on an ad hoc basis
An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
An understanding of the roles of the Chair, Trustees and CEO
How to Apply
Thank you for your initial interest in this opportunity to join Space’s Board of Trustees. We ask that you send a copy of your CV together with an Expression of Interest of no more than two sides of A4 addressing the following:
• What are your motivations for applying for the role of Trustee
• What area of expertise and what value do you feel you can bring to the role
To ensure fairness to all applicants, any decision to shortlist you for initial telephone screening will be based solely on the information that you supply on your CV and Expression of Interest. Therefore, it is important you give as much information as possible regarding why you wish to apply and what you think makes you a suitable candidate.
Completed CVs and Expressions of Interest should be sent by email to:
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Applicants must be over the age of 18
You will not be able to apply if you:
• Have an unspent conviction for an offence involving dishonesty or deception
• Are currently declared bankrupt, or are subject to bankruptcy restrictions orders or an interim order
• Have an individual voluntary arrangement to pay off debts with creditors
• Are disqualified from being a company director
• Have previously been removed as a trustee by either the Charity Commission or the High Court due to misconduct or mismanagement
It is an offence to act as a charity trustee while disqualified unless the Charity Commission has given a waiver under S.181(2) of the Charities Act 2011. You will not be able to apply if you are “associated” with Devon County Council. “Associated” means that you are currently an elected member or an officer of Devon County Council or have been an elected member within the preceding 4 years. This restriction is necessary to ensure the organisation’s independence in the eyes of the Charity Commission.
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At SPACE, we work with young people and are fully committed to ensuring their safeguarding and welfare is a priority at all times. As part of our Safeguarding Policy and Procedures, all of our employees, contractors and volunteers will be expected to comply. Upon a conditional offer of appointment being made, all employees will also be required to satisfy our pre-employment screening process which will include:
• An identity check (photo ID)
• Receipt of satisfactory references cover for 3 years to current
• Documentary evidence of right to work in the UK
• A satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)