About the organisation
Children’s Health Scotland (CHS) is the leading children’s health charity in Scotland, dedicated to ensuring that every child and young person has the right to the best possible health. Founded in 1961, CHS has grown from its origins as Mother Care for Children in Hospital into a nationally recognised, rights-based organisation that delivers direct support, advocacy, and education across Scotland.
We work with children and young people living with health conditions, those with care experience, and the families and carers who support them. Our services include health and wellbeing programmes, health rights education, tailored support for foster and kinship carers, and health-related play workshops. These services are underpinned by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), and we actively campaign to ensure children’s voices are heard in policy and practice.
CHS is a small but highly skilled and passionate team, supported by a committed Board of Trustees. We operate with a strong governance framework and are regulated by OSCR. Our strategic priorities include improving life experiences, promoting health rights, building resilience, and influencing national policy. We are proud to deliver initiatives such as Scottish Children’s Health Week, the Scottish Children’s Health Awards, and our FLOURISH programme for disadvantaged children.
We are currently seeking a new Treasurer to join our Board of Trustees as our current Treasurer approaches the end of their tenure. This is a key volunteer role, offering the opportunity to contribute financial oversight and strategic guidance to a charity that is growing in reach and impact. The Treasurer works closely with our Chief Executive and Finance Officer to review financial reports, support budgeting and planning, and ensure compliance with charity regulations. As an Office Bearer, the Treasurer also plays a vital role in shaping the charity’s future direction.
Board meetings are held every six weeks, alternating between Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings, with additional time required to review papers and liaise with staff. The role is flexible and designed to fit around professional commitments, with an estimated time commitment of 4–6 hours per month.
This is a rewarding opportunity for a finance professional to use their skills to make a real difference. You’ll be joining a warm, collaborative team and supporting a charity that is trusted, respected, and making a tangible impact on children’s lives across Scotland. We welcome expressions of interest from individuals who share our values—visionary, friendly, brave, informed, and skilled—and who are passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people.
About the role
We are seeking a new Treasurer to join the Board of Trustees at Children’s Health Scotland, as our current Treasurer approaches the end of their tenure. This is a key voluntary role, offering the opportunity to contribute financial oversight and strategic guidance to a respected and growing national charity.
The Treasurer is an Office Bearer and plays a vital role in ensuring the financial health and governance of the organisation. While we are a small charity, we are ambitious and values-driven, with a strong track record of impact and a clear strategic plan through to 2030.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the Board’s duty to ensure proper accounting records are kept and that financial resources are managed in line with good governance, legal, and regulatory requirements.
- Oversee the charity’s financial planning, budgeting, and reporting processes.
- Liaise regularly with the Chief Executive and Finance Officer to review management accounts, forecasts, and annual budgets.
- Present financial reports clearly and accessibly to the Board, supporting informed decision-making.
- Support the preparation and submission of annual accounts.
- Contribute to the development of financial policies and risk management strategies.
- Act as a sounding board for the CEO and Finance Officer on financial matters.
Time Commitment:
- Board meetings are held every six weeks, alternating between Thursday evenings (5–7pm) and Saturday mornings (10–12pm).
- The Treasurer is expected to attend all Board meetings and review papers in advance.
- Additional time is required to liaise with the CEO and Finance Officer between meetings—typically 1–2 hours per month.
- The overall time commitment is approximately 4–6 hours per month.
Sub-Committees:
We do not currently operate a separate Finance Committee, so the Treasurer’s input is especially valued at full Board level. As an Office Bearer, the Treasurer may also be asked to contribute to ad hoc working groups or strategic planning sessions.
Duration:
This is an ongoing role, not tied to a specific project or end date. We are ideally seeking someone who can commit to a minimum of two years, with the option to extend in line with our governance terms.
Why Join Us?
Children’s Health Scotland is the only charity in Scotland dedicated to the healthcare rights and wellbeing of children and young people. This is a rewarding opportunity for a finance professional to make a tangible difference, influence national policy, and support a charity that is trusted, respected, and growing.
Our ideal candidate
We are looking for a committed and values-driven individual to join our Board of Trustees as Treasurer. This is a key leadership role within our charity, and we are seeking someone who can bring both financial expertise and a passion for improving the lives of children and young people in Scotland.
Essential Skills and Qualities:
- Financial expertise: A qualified accountant or finance professional with experience in financial management, reporting, and oversight. You should be confident interpreting financial statements and advising on budgets, forecasts, and risk.
- Strategic thinking: Ability to contribute to high-level discussions and help shape the charity’s strategic direction, particularly in relation to financial sustainability and growth.
- Governance awareness: Understanding of charity governance and the responsibilities of a trustee, including compliance with OSCR and other regulatory requirements.
- Communication skills: Able to present financial information clearly and accessibly to a non-financial audience, supporting informed decision-making at Board level.
- Collaborative mindset: Willingness to work closely with the Chief Executive, Finance Officer, and fellow trustees in a supportive and constructive way.
- Commitment to our mission: A genuine interest in children’s rights, health, and wellbeing, and a desire to use your skills to make a positive impact.
Desirable Skills and Qualities:
- Charity finance experience: Previous experience as a charity trustee or treasurer, or familiarity with charity accounting (SORP), would be an advantage.
- Audit and risk management: Experience working with auditors or overseeing internal controls and risk frameworks.
- Digital confidence: Comfortable using cloud-based systems, digital board platforms, and online meeting tools.
- Leadership experience: Experience in a leadership or governance role, particularly within a small or growing organisation.
- Policy or advocacy interest: An understanding of the wider policy landscape affecting children and young people in Scotland, or an interest in influencing change.
Personal Attributes:
- Integrity and reliability: Trusted to act in the best interests of the charity and uphold high standards of transparency and accountability.
- Approachable and supportive: Willing to share knowledge and support the development of others, including staff and fellow trustees.
- Flexible and pragmatic: Able to adapt to the needs of a small, dynamic organisation and contribute where needed.
- Values-led: Aligned with our organisational values—Visionary, Friendly, Brave, Informed, and Skilled.
We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and are particularly keen to hear from those who bring diverse perspectives and lived experience. If you’re looking for a meaningful way to use your financial skills to support a charity that is making a real difference, we would love to hear from you.
What’s in it for you
Volunteering as Treasurer with Children’s Health Scotland offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of children and young people, especially those living with long-term health conditions, across Scotland. As the only charity in the country dedicated specifically to the healthcare rights and wellbeing of children, our work is both impactful and deeply rewarding.
By joining our Board of Trustees, the successful candidate will play a key role in guiding the financial sustainability and strategic direction of our charity. Our services empower children to understand and manage their health, build resilience, and advocate for their rights—particularly those living with health conditions or care experience.
The Treasurer will help ensure that our resources are used effectively and responsibly, enabling us to grow our reach and deepen our impact. Your financial insight will directly support the delivery of programmes such as our Self-Management Skills (SMS) Programmes, health-related play workshops, and training for foster and kinship carers.
Beyond impact, this role offers valuable professional development. You’ll gain experience in charity governance, strategic planning, and financial oversight within a regulated environment. You’ll work closely with our Chief Executive and Finance Officer, gaining insight into operational and strategic decision-making. You’ll also contribute to our annual planning cycle and help shape responses to national policy initiatives such as The Promise, GIRFEC, and the implementation of the UNCRC in Scotland.
There are also opportunities to expand your network. Our Board includes professionals from a range of sectors, and we regularly engage with stakeholders across government, healthcare, education, and the voluntary sector. You’ll be invited to paticipat in events such as Scottish Children’s Health Week, the CHS-hosted conferences, or judge for the Scottish Children’s Health Awards—platforms where your voice and expertise can help influence national conversations around child health and wellbeing.
We are a small, friendly, and collaborative team, and we value the unique skills and perspectives that each trustee brings. The role is designed to be flexible and manageable alongside professional commitments, with an estimated time commitment of 4–6 hours per month.
Ultimately, this is a chance to use your skills for good—to support a charity that is trusted, respected, and making a real difference. You’ll help ensure that every child in Scotland has the opportunity to achieve their best possible health, and you’ll be part of a team that is passionate about creating lasting change.
If you’re looking for a meaningful way to give back, develop new skills, and be part of something truly impactful, we would love to hear from you.
Apply for the role
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