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About the organisation
Helen & Douglas House is the world’s first Children’s Hospice. Our hospice is based on our original site in East Oxford, and we provide palliative, end of life and hospice services to children with life-shortening conditions and their families across the Thames Valley through a combination of inhouse, community and outreach, and hospital in-reach service delivery.
About the role
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Governance
Shape and approve the charity’s strategic direction, priorities, and annual plan in line with its Memorandum & Articles of Association.
Ensure compliance with charity and company law, the governing document, safeguarding regulations, and professional standards.
Support transparent and effective oversight through Board and Committee participation.
Financial Oversight
Confirm the charity’s financial stability by reviewing budgets, accounts, and reserves, balancing current service needs with long-term sustainability.
Uphold fiduciary duty in managing assets, investments, risks, and financial controls.
Service Quality & Risk Management
Oversee service quality, regulatory compliance (e.g., CQC), and safeguarding standards.
Monitor performance via KPIs, quality accounts, and strategic risk registers.
Executive Leadership & Relationship
Appoint and support the Chief Executive, regularly reviewing performance.
Maintain a productive relationship with leadership, offering guidance rooted in your expertise.
Advocacy & Stakeholder Engagement
Serve as an ambassador - fostering the charity’s reputation and engaging networks to broaden support, fundraising, and impact.
Represent Helen & Douglas House at public functions, events, and strategic partnerships.
Board Development & Succession
Participate in board recruitment, induction, and performance review processes.
Encourage continuous learning within the board, including diversity, equity, and inclusion training.
Our ideal candidate
Person Specification
Core Competencies
- Strong commitment to children’s palliative care and the organisation’s mission.
- Awareness of legal duties, safeguarding responsibilities, and ethical governance.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to analyse complex information and make balanced decisions.
- Integrity, objectivity, and impartiality in all Board actions.
Desired Skills & Experience
Trustees are recruited and appointed to the Board based upon identified requirements for qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience within the board and the organisation’s mission and strategy. Trustees are expected to utilise their knowledge, skills and experience diligently within their competence for the benefit for the organisation and its charitable purpose.
Personal Qualities
- Team player with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Independent, confident, supportive yet able to challenge constructively.
- Willingness to advocate and champion the charity across their networks.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage conflicts of interest.
Time Commitment & Term
- Equivalent of 12 working days per year at a minimum, to read papers, to attend board meetings (quarterly typically 3 hours), to attend subcommittees (quarterly typically 2 hours) and additional strategy sessions as required.
- All Trustees are required to attend at least 75% of board meetings annually and 75% of subcommittees.
- Participation in at least one Board sub-committee or working group.
- Engagement in 1–2 public-facing or community outreach events per year.
- The standard Trustee term is three years, with possible reappointment for two further terms, as set by governing documents.
Eligibility & Safeguards
- Trustees must be at least 16 years old, not disqualified by law (e.g., no unspent criminal convictions or bankruptcy), and not removed from prior trusteeship for misconduct.
- Enhanced DBS check required; alignment with HMRC’s Fit and Proper Person criteria.
What’s in it for you
Remuneration
This post is un-remunerated however essential travel and subsistence expenses are payable on completion of the organisation’s expenses form.
Apply for the role
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