NUGENT CARE
99 Edge Lane, Liverpool, L7 2PE
Tel: 0151 261 2000
ROLE DESCRIPTION
TRUSTEE
1. NUGENT CARE
Nugent Care is the social work service of the Catholic Archdiocese of Liverpool. The origins of Nugent Care date back to Victorian Liverpool and the pioneering work of Father James Nugent (1822-1905) in relation to child welfare, poverty relief and social reform.
Today Nugent Care is one of the leading charities in the North West of England, caring for children, disabled and marginalised people of all ages. We continue to fulfil a major social welfare role throughout the North West by acting as both a service provider and a major employer. The scale of our work is immense and we currently provide the following services;
Residential Special Schools, including day places;
Children’s homes, including a secure unit;
Care Homes for adults and older people;
A very wide range of Community Services for children and adults of all ages;
Supported living services;
Adoption agency work;
Nugent Care celebrates diversity in our organisation and in society as a whole and is an equal opportunities employer welcoming all people with a positive view of age, caring responsibilities, gender, disability racial origin, religion, sexual orientation or socio-economic background.
2. ROLE TITLE
Trustee
3. ACCOUNTABLE TO:
4. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
To ensure Nugent Care, as a major employer and provider of services to people in need, operates effectively within an ever changing environment thus ensuring maximum service delivery to all service users.
To provide strategic guidance and direction to Nugent Care in line with the Trust Deed and the Principles which underpin Nugent Care’s work.
To undertake the full responsibilities of a Trustee as defined by the Charity Commission.
To ensure the effective delegation of responsibilities to senior managers and staff through the direction of the Chief Executive, so as to ensure systems are in place to safeguard against mis-management.
5. COMMUNICATION
Trustees must strive to attend all Trustee and Governing Body meetings regularly and actively contribute to the decision-making process and debates that arise.
Trustees should endeavour in consultation with the Chief Executive to maintain regular links with Nugent Care via regular visits to headquarters and where practicable front line services.
Trustees should actively participate in relevant sub committees, promotional events and working parties.
6. RELATIONSHIPS
Close working relationships will be required with the:
Chief Executive
Directors
Governing Body Members
Service Managers
Heads of Homes
Head Teachers
Staff and Volunteers
7. KEY AREAS OF WORK
7.1 To ensure that Nugent Care complies with its Trust Deed, Charity Law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
7.2 To ensure that Nugent Care has a strategic plan and pursues its objectives as defined in the Strategic and Annual Plan.
7.3 To ensure that Nugent Care applies its resources exclusively to the pursuance of its objectives.
7.4 To contribute actively in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
7.5 To safeguard and promote the good name and values of Nugent Care.
7.6 To ensure the effective and efficient administration of Nugent Care.
7.7 To ensure the financial stability of Nugent Care.
7.8 To protect and manage the property of Nugent Care, ensuring the
proper investment of all funds.
7.9 To appoint the Chief Executive Officer and monitor his/her performance in post.
7.10 To take part in training sessions provided for the benefit of Trustees/Members.
7.11 To use any specific skills, knowledge, or experience they have to help the board of Trustees reach sound decisions. This will involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues and providing advice and guidance on new initiatives or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.
8. TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITY
8.1 Whilst acknowledging the joint work by Trustees and Members of the Governing Body, it should be noted that Trustees are accountable for the legal
duties, responsibilities and liabilities that affect Nugent Care.
9. ADDITIONAL DUTIES OF THE CHAIR
9.1 To plan the annual cycle of Governing Body Meetings and Trustee meetings;
9.2 To Chair and facilitate Governing Body Meetings and Trustee meetings;
9.3 To give direction to Governing Body and Trustee policy-making;
9.4 To Monitor that decisions taken at Governing Body and Trustees meetings are implemented;
9.5 To represent Nugent Care at functions and meeting, and to act as a spokesperson as appropriate;
9.6 To liaise regularly with the Chief Executive to keep an overview of Nugent Care’s affairs, providing appropriate support when required;
9.7 To lead on the process for appraising the performance of the Chief Executive;
9.8 To liaise with the Chief Executive to develop the board of Trustees, and the Governing Body;
9.9 To ensure impartiality and objectivity to the decision making process of Governing Body and Trustees;
9.10 To facilitate change and address conflict within the Governing Body and
within Nugent Care liaising with the Chief Executive to achieve this.
10. EQUALITIES
Nugent Care affords all employees equal opportunities in employment irrespective of disability, gender, race, religion, age, sexuality, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status etc. Nugent Care will ensure that discriminatory practices are identified and removed and non-discriminatory practices introduced in all areas of employment.
11. NUGENT CARE AND FUNDRAISING
Nugent Care is a Charity and as such relies on its good reputation and voluntary contributions and donations from members of the public, from grant making bodies and corporate sponsorship.
All employees of Nugent Care are expected to behave in a way that enhances the reputation and image of the Charity. In addition staff are expected to be responsive to fundraising initiatives, attend public events whenever possible and generally take seriously their role in raising income for the Charity at every opportunity.
12. CONFIDENTIALITY
It is expected that all Trustees will understand that our work is confidential and that personal details about residents and their families should NOT be divulged to members of the public.
13. BASIC PRINCIPLES
The role holder is expected to be familiar with and have regard to the Basic Principles of Nugent Care and work within that framework. He/she must be prepared to operate within a Catholic Agency, but ensure that people of all denominations and religions have their spiritual needs met.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
JOB TITLE TRUSTEE
QUALIFICATIONS Essential
Qualified Accountant
(ICAEW; ICAS; ICAI; ACCA; CIMA; CIPFA)
EXPERIENCE/
KNOWLEDGE Essential
Experience of operating, advising and making decisions at a strategic level within area of individual expertise.
An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship.
Experience of Policy development and implementation.
Experience in promoting and sharing best practice within an organisational context.
Experience in the management of organisational change initiatives.
OR
Relevant Personal experience related to the work of Nugent Care.
Desirable
An understanding or experience of committee work.
Assessment
Application form/Interview.
SKILLS Essential
Excellent communication, presentation and influencing skills.
Good independent judgement and decision making skills.
An ability to think creatively.
An ability to network both internally and with relevant external individuals/bodies.
An ability to work as an effective team member.
Excellent time management and self-motivation skills.
The ability to display the relevant level of tact and diplomacy whilst performing the role of Trustee.
An ability to think strategically.
The ability to work to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
Assessment
Application form/Interview.
SPECIAL FACTORS Essential
A commitment to the value base of Nugent Care.
A commitment to adhering to and developing Equal Opportunities issues.
A commitment to follow the Nugent Care Code of Conduct for Trustees/Members.
A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort required to be an effective Trustee.
Assessment
Application form/Interview
Trustee role desc
April 04 / Sept 11