Board Trustee

The Newlon Group is recruiting for new voluntary Board members for Outward, our Care and Support charity based in London N17.

Since 1976, Outward has been providing innovative housing management, support, and care solutions to people in need. Whether we are providing care and support in partnership with local authorities or supporting people via direct payments, our aim is always for the individual to determine what kind of support we offer. Our focus is on enabling people to have greater choice, independence and control over how they live their lives. As part of the Newlon Group, we manage supported housing for over 350 people and work across 8 London Boroughs. We provide services to a wide range of people, including people with autism and learning disabilities, empowering and enabling people to live independent lives.

We are looking for committed individuals who really want to make a difference in helping people with disabilities to live independently and can demonstrate a clear understanding of the challenges our charity and the people we support face.

We are keen to recruit Trustees who are genuinely passionate about the positive impact that good social care can make. Perhaps you already have experience as a Trustee and want a new challenge, or perhaps you have relevant skills and are looking for your first opportunity to join a Board and be involved in a large and successful charity.

Joining a charity board is a great way to contribute to your local community, develop strategic experience, further develop skills, and be part of a committed team with common values and goals. It is a fantastic and fascinating way to engage in the charity sector, and it’s a role that will give back just as much as you put in and more!

We are committed to ensuring our Board reflects the diversity of the communities we serve and welcome applicants who represent the vastly diverse group of people we support and employ.

To strengthen our Board, we are looking for people first and, most importantly, with a real commitment to empowering people who face challenges due to their life circumstances or disability. In addition, we would particularly welcome people who have financial experience:

1. Knowledge or experience in finance and able to analyse financial data to identify a company's financial status.

2. Improving financial operations.

3. Manage the charity’s resources wisely and carefully, ensuring they remain secure, accessible, and deployed in alignment with the charity’s purpose. Ensuring the charity can confidently deliver its mission now and into the future.

Requirements

Trustees must ensure that the organisation:

Complies with its governing document (Memorandum and Articles of Association), its statutory duties, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations;

Pursues its charitable objects as defined in the Memorandum and Articles of Association;

Applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of those objects.

Other requirements

Trustees are expected to:

Share the organisation's values and mission to deliver high quality independent living

Contribute actively to the Board of Trustees in giving clear strategic direction to the organisation, agreeing overall policy, defining goals and evaluating performance against targets;

Use their skills, knowledge and experience to help the Board reach sound decisions. This may involve giving special scrutiny to Board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues and providing advice and guidance;

Attend and contribute to Board and committee meetings. Trustees are also expected to take part in an annual strategic planning workshop and to pay occasional visits to organisational projects.

Safeguard and enhance the reputation of the organisation;

Ensure the effective and efficient management of the organisation through delegation to the Chief Officer and management team;

Ensure the financial stability of the organisation through continual assessment and performance measurement;

Protect and manage the assets of the charity (property, financial reserves etc.) and ensure the effective use of the charity’s funds;

Be responsible for monitoring the organisation against key performance targets.

Person specification

Trustees are expected to demonstrate the following behaviours, characteristics and abilities: Commitment to the organisation aims in delivering independent living and its values;

Ability to act as an ambassador for the organisation and champion its mission and services;

Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to the business of the Board and to learn about the organisation, its staff and the people it serves;

Independent judgement, and the ability to challenge appropriately as a ‘critical friend’; Ability to analyse documents and provide informed feedback;

Strategic thinking, creativity and vision geared to enhancing the development and prosperity of the organisation;

Ability to work effectively as a member of a team in order to reach constructive decisions. This includes being able to speak openly in discussion while respecting and taking account of others’ views; Willingness to understand and assume the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship Application of Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

Making your application
Please complete the application form by downloading the Board Member Application Pack from the Outward website: Board Trustee | Outward You may submit a CV to cover your experience and qualifications as long as it covers the areas asked on the application form.

The closing date:  open until filled.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted to schedule an interview time based on their availability. Interviews will take place at Newlon House or potentially via Zoom. A panel consisting of current Board Members including the Chair and the Chief Executive will meet with shortlisted candidates on an individual basis to ask further questions about skills and experience and to answer questions or queries from candidates. Candidates will also be interviewed by a panel of people we support/experts by experience.