Trustee: Board of Trustees

TRUSTEERecruitment PackCharity Number: 1116500 Dear candidate, Thank you for your interest in joining the Board of Trustees for BehindClosed Doors (BCD) and for taking the time to read this information. This is an exciting yet challenging time for Behind Closed Doors, where wecontinue to see the pressure of a tough financial climate combined withgrowing demand for our services. Against this backdrop, the role of ourtrustees has never been more important. With your support and expertise, you can help us to drive our new strategyforward, finding opportunities to expand our income generating activity andbuilding our capacity to deliver a range of quality services to everyone whoneeds our help. We also work hard to make sure that your time as a Trustee is rewarding foryou as part of a team that sees the difference they make to the lives ofpeople in our community.BUILDLIVESBehind Closed Doors works to build lives free from domesticabuse                     . Domestic abuse is always unacceptable   ;we support everyone affected by it and we act to prevent it.build lives free fromdomestic abusealways unacceptableDomestic abuse devastates lives.Alison PuenteChair of the Board of TrusteesFREE FROMDOMESTICABUSEBehind Closed Doors has been tackling domestic abuse for over 25 years. We arethere at the point of crisis, working with individuals and families in communities andwe stay on to support through recovery. We also deliver preventative activities inthe form of training with frontline practitioners, in the workplace and in educationalsettings.We have supported thousands of people whose lives have been affected bydomestic abuse; last year alone we worked with over 650 people experiencingdomestic abuse. Our work with male victim-survivors is recognised as the specialistservice in Leeds, and has received Lime Culture accreditation.We have been a key partner in the local authority commissioned Leeds DomesticViolence Service for over fourteen years. We deliver practical support to reducerisks and navigate complex housing, legal, statutory and healthcare systems toenable our service users to make the right choices for them and their children. Behind Closed Doors is also lead partner in the Domestic Abuse Recovery Service(DARS), focusing both on practical assistance and longer-term emotionalrecovery; supporting service users to better understand the abuse they’veexperienced and protect themselves from future harm. DARS also has a specialistprovision to offer more focused support to those with complex needs or additionalvulnerabilities that may prevent them moving forwards. In the past year, we have expanded our role within the LDVS Sanctuary Supportproject and our commitment to supporting everyone affected by domestic abuse,by taking on an LGBTQ+ Specialist Support Worker. We are also a key partner inthe new West Yorkshire Pathfinder Partnership, providing specialist IDVA support inFamily Court proceedings.  Read more about our aims in our 2023-26 strategyABOUT US“Behind Closed Doors is life-changing. Ididn’t want to get out of bed, I didn’t want toleave the house. BCD completely and utterlychanged where I was”OUR IMPACT“My relationship with mychildren was hanging by athread; they were torn betweenme and their Dad and I did nothave my life on track. I tried torun away from my problems andBCD taught me how to tacklethem head on.”Last year, 90%Of those who completed a programme of support with us said theywere more independent and better able to make decisions84%Reported improved mental health79%Felt better able to keep themselves safeTrustee: Board of TrusteesOur current board is made up of committed and knowledgeable people: businesspeople, community and charity leaders. We are lucky to have a dedicated andsupportive board, some of whom have now been with us for extended terms and aresoon to be moving on. We also need to enhance contacts through appointing seniorlevel people. We are seeking passionate individuals across Yorkshire who are keen tohelp drive our vision of building lives free from domestic abuse by providing strategicchallenge and raising the profile of Behind Closed Doors through introductions tomeaningful relationships. Due to members of our current board reaching the end oftenure, we are currently looking new Trustees to join the team, to take on thisrewarding and invaluable position. Taking on a Trustee role is an excellent way to broaden your leadership experienceand strengthen skills that you can then put to use in your core role, to the benefit ofyour career progression opportunities and the organisation that you work for. As a Trustee, you will develop skills in:Strategic planning GovernanceBudgeting and financial analysisRisk managementChairing meetingsAs you learn about a new organisation and potentially a new sector, you will also gainconfidence in:Acting as a 'Critical Friend'; asking questions and providing supportExperiencing the difference between a strategic role, and a hands-on operationalroleAbsorbing and processing new information, and learning where you contributevalueFinding your feet with a brand new team of peopleROLE DESCRIPTIONMain Duties and ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership1.Work with the wider board and staff team to set and deliver a clear andcompelling organisational strategy, vision and mission2.Ensure that the objectives of BCD, as agreed by all Board Members, arefully and properly carried out3.Play a full part in strategic discussions at Board meetings, and to arriveat balanced and objective decisions4.Promote a diverse, inclusive, forward-thinking, challenging andresponsive culture with fellow trusteesGovernance and Risk1.Collective responsibility to the overall governance of the organisation2.Ensure that BCD complies with its governing documents and all otherrelevant charity / company legislation or regulations and make sure theorganisation pursues its objectives as defined in its Articles of Association3.Ensure that an appropriate assurance framework is in place to enablethe Board of Trustees to be sighted on strategic risks, together with actionplans that are in place to manage themPartnerships and Engagement1.Act as an ambassador and spokesperson for the organisation whenappropriate2.Engage with external stakeholders to encourage constructiverelationships, and actively promote the work of BCD in the community3.Safeguard and promote the good name, reputation, vision, mission andvalues of BCD at all times4.Act as a credible and integrated part of the organisation workforce and,where appropriate, maintain a visible presence at internal and externalevents and activitiesOther1.Be a strong advocate of the work BCD delivers2.Be committed to the vision, purpose & the values of BCD3.Support your fellow board colleagues, staff team and the CEOObligations1.Act in the charity’s best interests, taking everything relevant into account2.Respect the charity’s constitution and decisions taken under it3.Be diligent, careful and well informed about the charity’s affairs4.Analyse information and where appropriate challenge constructively5.Be able to respect boundaries between executive and governancefunction6.Be able to maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive information7.Be able to make collective decisions and stand by themCommitment1.Board meetings: Held on a weekday evening bi-monthly (6 times peryear), usually in-person and lasting 2 hours2.Annual board away day: A strategic planning and team-bonding event,either held over one full weekday or two half days3.Sub-committees: Trustees are expected to sit on relevant sub-committees as required (for example the remuneration committee),meeting at a convenient time for all members, usually online and eitherquarterly or bi-annuallyTrustee: Board of TrusteesPlease address and evidence in your application how you meet the criterialaid out below:ExperienceTrack record of achievement in an appropriate environment & ability torepresent the organisation at the highest levelExperience of working with strategy development and implementation orin a service delivery or volunteer-based organisation Understanding of charity requirements, including Charity Commissionand Companies House reporting (or willingness to learn)Strong interpersonal skillsWillingness to continually develop and refresh knowledge and skillsMaintain or acquire a strong command of knowledge related to BCDBehavioursUphold the highest ethical standards of integrity and probityActively support the Chair and CEO in their role of executing the strategyAbility to listen sensitively to the view of others, inside and outside theBoardCompetenciesAbility to take a considered view in making judgementsAbility to nurture partnerships and mutual respect on the boardAbility to question intelligentlyAbility to debate constructivelyAbility to challenge rigorously, probe key issues and question acceptedways of workingAbility to make decisions objectivelyPERSON SPECIFICATIONSpecific SkillsHaving reviewed the expertise within the existing board, we have identified anumber of specific skill gaps. We would therefore welcome an applicationfrom people with the following skill set:Fundraising and income generation Charity governance and risk managementAs a board, we strive to be as diverse and representative as the communitieswe serve and would welcome those from underrepresented or marginalisedgroups. We also recognise hugely the value that lived experience brings toour board, so would welcome further representation in this area, but onlywhen it is safe for you to engage with us in this way. If so, we’d love to hear from you!To apply for this position, please supply an up to date CV setting out yourcareer history, and covering letter, or supporting statement, whichdemonstrates how you meet the criteria in the role description and personspecification. Please email your application to info@behind-closed-doors.org.uk.Behind Closed Doors is committed to improving inclusive recruitmentpractices. If you would prefer to apply for this position or express your interestin an alternative format (such as audio or video upload) or require anyadaptions at this initial stage, please get in touch. For an informal discussion about the role and organisation, please contactAlison Puente, Chair of the Board of Trustees on info@behind-closed-doors.org.uk.Behind Closed Doors is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare ofchildren, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers toshare this commitment. A standard DBS disclosure will be required before taking up thisposition.COULD YOU BE A BEHINDCLOSED DOORS TRUSTEE?www.behind-closed-doors.org.uk