Trustees (HR, Further Education, Marketing/Communications, Fundraising or Digital/IT specialists)
Location: Dartington/Hybrid
Salary: Voluntary (reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed)Working Hours:
Average 3-4 hours a month
Closing Date:
December 31, 2026 11:59 pm
Start Date:
ASAP
More about the Role
Join our Board and Make a Difference!
We’re looking to expand our Board of Trustees and are seeking individuals with expertise in any of the following areas:
• HR: With a strong understanding of HR best practices, you will support the development and implementation of our People Strategy alongside our HR Team, ensuring a positive and inclusive environment for all staff. You’ll also be there to provide guidance when needed, leaning on your experience of HR matters.
• Further Education: Your knowledge of the Further Education sector will be instrumental in supporting the College Leadership Team to continually improve the quality of education and learning opportunities for our students. Experience of Ofsted inspections and an understanding of ESFA funding conditions is highly desirable.
• Marketing/Communications: You will provide advice and guidance on the development of our marketing and communications and help us to build a strong brand with a clear voice.
• Fundraising: You will provide strategic and practical guidance on funding streams ensuring that the short and long-term needs of the charity are met.
• Digital/IT: You will provide strategic guidance on IT systems and infrastructure, ensuring they are robust, secure, and compliant. This includes identifying opportunities to improve operational efficiency through technology, supporting the implementation of new software and advising on data protection regulations.
If you don’t have any of the above experience but believe that you can add value to our Board in a different way, we would still love to hear from you.
About you
What you’ll bring:
• Passion for our mission: A genuine commitment to supporting individuals with learning disabilities to live great lives.
• Relevant expertise: Proven experience in HR, Further Education, Marketing/Communications, Fundraising or Digital/IT, ideally within the education or care sector.
• Strong governance skills: A good understanding of charity law, governance principles, and risk management (you don’t need to have previous experience as a charity board trustee – we will give you the support that you need to learn about us and your role).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills: The ability to effectively communicate with colleagues, stakeholders, and the wider community.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion: A strong belief in creating an inclusive and equitable environment for all.
We believe that having a diverse Board of Trustees is key to our success so we’re especially keen to receive applications from under-represented communities and people with lived experience of learning disabilities.
Time Commitment:
• All new Trustees are required to attend an induction at Lifeworks, before attending your first Board meeting.
• You will need to attend our five Board meetings per year. They are held within standard business hours at our Head Office in Shinners Bridge, Dartington. One of these meetings will be an all-day strategic planning meeting, whilst the other meetings will be approximately 3.5 hours each. You will receive any materials within a week of the meeting.
• You may also be asked to participate in sub-committees as required.
Job Benefits
Who we are
Lifeworks Charity is dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults with learning disabilities. We operate across multiple areas, including education, community support, day services and residential care. We are seeking passionate and dedicated individuals to join our Board of Trustees, to help guide our organisation to a great future.
As a Trustee, you will get the opportunity to make a real difference. You’ll be directly contributing to the strategic direction of the charity, whilst supporting a brilliant cause.
Building a diverse and safe team:
At Lifeworks, we’re committed to fostering a workplace that reflects the diversity of our community. As a Disability Confident Employer, we actively encourage applications from individuals with disabilities who meet the job criteria, and we guarantee qualified candidates with disabilities an interview.
Lifeworks is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. To achieve this commitment, we will ensure the continuous development, improvement and review of robust safeguarding processes and procedures that continuously promote a culture of vigilance in respect of safeguarding within our organisation. Therefore, all Trustees undergo Safer Recruitment checks which include pre-employment checks, reference checks, and a DBS check.
Apply today and tell us why you’d be a great fit for our Charity!
Please contact the HR team if you should require any support (including completing the application process using other formats) or require any further information about the role.
College Vice Principal (SEN, Pastoral & Tutorial Lead)
Location: Dartington
Salary: L1 £43,260 – L3 £45,963 per annumWorking Hours:
37.5 hours per week, 52 weeks per year (50 days’ annual leave per annum)
Closing Date:
January 8, 2026 11:59 pm
Start Date:
ASAP
More about the Role
We are seeking a dedicated and operational Vice Principal to join our leadership team. Working alongside the Charity CEO & College Principal, you will be instrumental in shaping the vision of the College, driving a culture of continuous improvement, and ensuring every student achieves their full potential.
This is a unique opportunity for a leader who thrives on pastoral care, safeguarding, and operational management within a specialist setting. You will champion the needs of our students, ensuring they are supported from their transition from school right through to adulthood.
Key Responsibilities:
Operational & Pastoral Leadership
– Take full responsibility for the development and management of Pastoral and Tutorial programmes, ensuring a safe environment where students thrive.
– Lead the day-to-day operations of the college, ensuring high-quality service delivery.
– Manage the transition of students—both responding to prospective student assessments and managing transitions out of FE into adulthood.
– Line manage College Tutors and lead regular team meetings to foster an open, positive culture.
Safeguarding & SEND (crucial to this post)
– Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for the College and contribute to the Charity Safeguarding Forum.
– Serve as the College SEN Coordinator, maintaining ownership of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
– Act as the primary link to 0-25 Local Authority SEND teams, ensuring all statutory paperwork and reviews are completed timely.
Quality & Strategy
– Support the CEO & Principal in shaping the curriculum, staff development, and the college’s strategic direction.
– Ensure compliance with Ofsted, ESFA, and Local Authority requirements, including leading on the Self-Assessment Report (SAR) and Quality Improvement Plans.
– Deputise for the CEO & College Principal in her absence.
– Identify risks and implement control measures to ensure health, safety, and regulatory compliance.
Working hours:
The hours for this role are 37.5 hours per week over 5 days, 52 weeks per year. You will receive 50 days’ (10 weeks) leave per annum to be taken outside of term time. Please note that there will be a requirement to take part in activities outside of your regular working hours, such as residential trips, DofE, or parents’ evenings.
About you
What we’re looking for:
– Qualified Professional: A qualified teacher (QTS or equivalent) with a degree in Education
– Sector Leadership: A proven record of outstanding leadership and management within Further Education, with experience in raising quality standards and achieving inspirational student outcomes.
– SEN Expertise: Significant experience working with young people or adults with learning disabilities (e.g., autism), combined with a deep understanding of safeguarding specific to vulnerable adults.
– Regulatory Knowledge: A thorough understanding of the Ofsted regulatory framework for specialist colleges, alongside knowledge of Post-16 education drivers.
– Strategic Vision: The ability to demonstrate strategic thinking and an ambitious vision, coupled with the confidence to make clear, well-judged decisions.
– Stakeholder Management: Experience building and managing effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including commissioners, local authorities, funders, and families.
– People Management: Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to lead, motivate, and develop teams to secure continuous professional development.
– Communication & Values: A passionate belief in equal opportunities, supported by excellent verbal, written, and IT communication skills.
Job Benefits
Who we are
Since 1996, we’ve been empowering people with learning disabilities in Devon to achieve their dreams and build fulfilling lives. Our core values of kindness, respect, and positivity guide everything we do.
Lifeworks College is a small FE provision based in Dartington (near Totnes). We have a small group of students, and our staff are focused on delivering personalised and tailored education to 16-24-year-olds with learning disabilities.
Building a diverse and safe team:
At Lifeworks, we’re committed to fostering a workplace that reflects the diversity of our community. As a Disability Confident Employer, we actively encourage applications from individuals with disabilities who meet the essential job criteria, and we guarantee qualified candidates with disabilities an interview.
However, ensuring a safe environment for everyone we support is our top priority. Therefore, all staff undergo pre-employment checks, reference checks, and an enhanced DBS check.
Please contact the HR team if you should require any support (including completing the application process using other formats) or require any further information about the role.
Selection
The closing date for applications is Thursday 8th January 2026.
Interviews will take place on Thursday 15th January and Friday 16th January 2026, so please ensure you are available on these dates.