Volunteer Sexual violence charity seeks safeguarding trustee

What will you be doing?

While safeguarding is the responsibility of all trustees, we are seeking a trustee who has skills, experience and confidence in the area of safeguarding to serve as a lead trustee for safeguarding, with three main sets of duties: Strategic

Consider the organisation’s strategic plans and make sure they reflect safeguarding legislation, regulations specific to the charity’s activities, statutory guidance, and the safeguarding expectations of the Charities Commission. Work with the CEO and designated safeguarding lead regularly to review whether the things the organisation has put in place are creating a safer culture and keeping people safe. Check the organisation’s risk register reflects safeguarding risks properly and plans sensible measures to take Make sure there is space on the agenda for safeguarding reports at board meetings and help trustees understand and challenge those reports.

Effective policy and practice

Make sure there is an annual review of safeguarding policies and procedures and that this is reported to trustees. Understand the monitoring your charity does to see whether policies and procedures are effective. Call for audits of qualitative and quantitative data (either internal or external) when they’re needed. Learn from case reviews locally and nationally, to improve SAASSBMK’s policies, procedures and practices. Oversee safeguarding allegations against staff or volunteers, together with CEO and designated safeguarding lead. Be a point of escalation for staff or volunteers if someone wishes to complain about a lack of action in relation to safeguarding concerns.

Creating the right culture

Champion safeguarding throughout the organisation. Attend relevant safeguarding training events and conferences. Support the trustees in developing their individual and collective understanding of safeguarding. Attend meetings, activities, projects to engage with staff, volunteers and beneficiaries to understand safeguarding on the ground. Work with the chair, CEO and designated safeguarding lead to manage all serious safeguarding cases. Support regular safeguarding updates for staff, volunteers and service users. Make sure you have ways of gathering the views of staff and volunteers in relation to safeguarding and sharing these with the board.

What are we looking for?

Do you have relevant skills and professional experience in Safeguarding Adults and/or Children? Are you driven, enthusiastic and determined to make a positive impact? Do you share the organisation's belief in empowering those affected by sexual abuse to lead fulfilling lives? Are you willing to join a hands-on team who want to make a difference to those who have been affected by sexual assault and abuse? We want to meet you! We do not require someone with previous experience as a charity trustee, we are happy to provide training, looking mostly for someone a willingness to learn, grow and work with the organisation.

What difference will you make?

By working with the current board to advise and oversee our strategic plan and relevant policies, the organisation can ensure its services are sustainable, and that the growing demand for support from those who have experienced sexual abuse is met safely. Police statistics are showing an increase of sexual offences recorded, and many survivors of abuse endure psychological trauma for years before seeking support. Each trustee plays a key role, working alongside the CEO, to ensure the organisation can continue to offer support to survivors, and can grow in a sustainable and safe way so no one is left without help.