About the organisation
Home-Start is a federated charity made up of a central national office (Home-Start UK) and nearly 170 local Home-Starts working in communities across the UK. We share the same purpose and values, while adapting to local needs so that every family receives support that is personal, relational and rooted in their community. It’s a model that gives us both national scale and deep local connection. It enables us to build national partnerships with funders who want UK-wide reach and strong quality support of a recognised model, while also supporting deep, place-based relationships with local Home-Starts who understand their communities and flex to deliver support on the ground. And the trusting relationships our services develop with vulnerable families across the country, and lived experience of staff and volunteers, mean we are uniquely placed to bring forward those voices.
About the role
Home-Start UK is seeking a Finance Trustee to join our Board to offer strategic support to Home-Start UK. You will join a strong, committed Board to strengthen further the breadth of experience and support our succession planning. Specific skills and experiences we are seeking at the present time are in the fields of safeguarding, fundraising, digitalisation, data and impact, financial and commercial, federated charities.
Home-Start UK believes in a world that is inclusive, diverse and equitable and we are committed to our Trustee Board reflecting this. Our Trustees represent a variety of backgrounds, skills and experiences and we are always keen to add further diversity, perspective and experience. You do not have to have been a trustee before - if you are passionate about making a difference for families, we can provide a supportive environment for you to step up into your first trustee role. These roles will suit someone passionate about social impact and supporting children and families to make a lasting difference within a collaborative, values-led organisation.
Time Commitment
• Approximately two days per month spread across the year.
• This includes in person quarterly Board meetings and an annual strategy day that includes an overnight stay and dinner. Board Meetings will typically be held in London although some meetings will be held in Leicester where the HSUK offices are located.
• Trustees will usually be a member of at least one sub-committee (Finance, People & Impact) which meets quarterly on-line in the weeks before each board meeting.
• Trustees hold office for a term of three years but shall be eligible for re-election for a further term of three years. In exceptional circumstances, with the agreement of the Board of Trustees, a trustee may be elected for a third and final term.
Our ideal candidate
Trustee Role Profile:
1) Strategic Leadership
• Provide strategic leadership to the charity, ensuring that Home-Start UK and the Home-Start network can maximise its impact for the families it serves.
• Help to ensure Home-Start UK is a prominent part of the landscape of support for family and children and is at the forefront of policy and practice affecting families, children and young people.
• Understand and promote equity, equality, diversity and inclusion and help advance our commitment to progress further.
• Build effective relationships with other trustees and staff to provide challenge, support and counsel to the charity in achieving the organisation’s mission.
2) Governance
• Work with the Chair of Trustees and other trustees to support the Board to fulfil its duties and responsibilities to ensure the sound health of the charity, with robust systems in place to ensure financial accountability and integrity.
• Contribute to a healthy culture of challenge, scrutiny and support among the Board, that governance arrangements and meetings are working effectively.
• Support the Board in regular review of major risks and associated opportunities and ensure that robust systems are in place including in relation to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.
3) Relationships
• Act as a trusted ambassador for the charity, with external stakeholders and influencers including representing the charity at events and in generating income as required.
• Build strong and trusted relationships with the wider Home-Start network and with strategic partners and funders that can support greater impact for families.
• Be prepared to act as a spokesperson for the charity and to act as senior point of referral for problem-solving and disputes.
Candidate should bring expertise in at least one of the following areas:
• Financial and commercial expertise with a view to succession planning to replace trustees on our Finance Committee who will leave us at the end of 2027, including a Treasurer designate who should be financially qualified. • Experience of leading a federated charity.
What’s in it for you
Why join the Home-Start UK Board?
This is an opportunity to use your professional expertise to help transform the lives of families with young children across the UK. As a Trustee of Home-Start UK, you will play a key role in shaping the future of one of the country's leading family support charities. Your insight and experience will help ensure that thousands of parents and children receive the support they need to thrive, whilst strengthening a nationwide network of local Home-Starts that are making a difference in communities every day.
Make a meaningful impact.
As a Trustee, you will help guide the strategic direction of Home-Start UK and influence decisions that support families facing some of life's most challenging circumstances, including isolation, poor mental health, financial hardship, domestic abuse and the pressures of raising young children. Your expertise will contribute to strengthening services, improving outcomes for families and ensuring the charity can continue to provide vital support where it is needed most.
Use your skills for social good
Whether your background is in safeguarding, fundraising, digital transformation, data and impact, finance, commercial leadership or federated organisations, you will have the opportunity to apply your professional knowledge at Board level and see the direct impact of your contribution on a national charity. You will work alongside an experienced and committed Board, supporting and challenging the Executive Team to help deliver positive change for families across the UK.
Develop your leadership and governance experience
This role offers an excellent opportunity to gain or deepen trustee and charity governance experience, broaden your understanding of the charity sector, contribute to Board-level decision-making in a complex national organisation and e
nhance your experience of governance, risk management and organisational transformation.
Join a network of passionate leaders
You will collaborate with fellow trustees and senior leaders drawn from a diverse range of professional backgrounds, creating opportunities to build relationships, share expertise and learn from others.
Be part of a movement that changes lives
Parenting can be challenging for anyone, but no parent should have to face it alone. By joining the Home-Start UK Board, you will help strengthen a network of support that empowers families, builds resilience and enables children to have the best possible start in life. Your time, expertise and leadership could make a lasting difference to thousands of families and communities across the UK.
Apply for the role
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