Job summary Claire House Children's Hospice is at an exciting point in its development as we strive to deliver on our 2024-29 strategy "Together Towards Tomorrow". We are looking for a new Trustee to join our professional and forward-thinking Board who will help to drive the organisation forwards, to enable us to achieve our vision to ensure that every baby, child and young adult who is seriously or terminally ill, receives the very best care and support, together with their family, whenever and wherever they may need it. As we continually seek to refresh our Board through a process of good governance and planned succession, we are now recruiting for a Trustee with experience of healthcare provision and governance, and /or the healthcare economy, to support the delivery of the charity's future strategy. To apply please send a copy of your CV and a covering letter, outlining how meet the requirements of the role, to jobsclairehouse.org.uk Main duties of the job The role Whilst we are a looking for this person to be a Trustee first and foremost, with the ability to operate at a strategic level, they will also bring with them experiences and /or knowledge of providing healthcare for children and young people, preferably including knowledge of childrens palliative care. They will also have knowledge of the changing healthcare environment and be able to grasp the important strategic issues and challenges which childrens hospices face in providing effective holistic palliative care. The role will work closely with the Director of Clinical Services, who has responsibility for informing the Board of its strategic options in relation to care related issues at Claire House. The Time Commitment Claire House requires its Trustees to represent the organisation at 4 Trustee meetings a year. In the case of this role, it is requested that they are also involved in the off-board Clinical Governance Committee, which again takes place 4 times a year. In addition to this there are away days once every 6 months which the Trustees set aside to discuss long term strategic issues outside of the board room. Wherever possible, these meetings are organised outside of the normal working day to allow Trustees to manage their other priorities effectively. About us Claire House Childrens Hospice helps seriously and terminally ill children live life to the full bycreating wonderful experiences and bringing back a sense of normality to family life. By providing specialist nursing and end of life care, as well as emotional support, Claire House helps families through some of the toughest times of their lives. Claire House has a team of trained professionals who are as passionate about what they do as they are talented at doing it. Our staff includes nurses, physiotherapists, play specialists, and counsellors. We have two sites, a full hospice on the Wirral and a second site in West Derby, Liverpool, offering day-care, complementary therapies, clinics, play and music sessions, and counselling. To find out more about Claire House please visit our website:www.clairehouse.org.uk Date posted 28 November 2024 Pay scheme Other Salary £1 a year Contract Voluntary Duration 6 years Working pattern Flexible working Reference number B0316-24-0029 Job locations Clatterbridge Road Bebington Wirral Merseyside CH63 4JD Job description Job responsibilities Vision and strategic context Our vision is that every baby, child and young adult who is seriously or terminally ill, receives the very best care and support, together with their family, whenever and wherever they may need it. Our mission is that Together we make the biggest difference in life and death to every baby, child, young adult, and family dealing with a terminal diagnosis. We provide and influence the delivery of outstanding care, ensuring the greatest impact is achieved whenever and wherever that care is provided. We cannot stop children from dying, but we can ensure that families facing this painful journey are supported throughout their childs life, through their loss, and for as long as is needed afterwards. Right now, we cannot reach everyone who needs our support, and we cannot meet the immense demand for our services. Together Towards Tomorrow - our ambitious five-year strategy - describes how we will change that. We have an unwavering commitment to this strategy. A commitment that will not stop, until together, we can say that no family faces this heartbreak without the support they so desperately deserve. More details on our 5-year strategy can be found on the Claire House website. Overview Claire House Children's Hospice helps seriously and terminally ill children live life to the full by creating wonderful experiences and bringing back a sense of normality to family life. By providing specialist nursing care and emotional support we help families smile again when life couldn,t get any tougher. Claire House is passionate about providing the best possible support to these children and their families. It is vital to the charity that its governance reflects this standard of care and that the Trustees lead the organisation effectively both now and in the future. It is the responsibility of the Trustees of Claire House to loyally pursue the objects of the charity, to protect its assets (including a duty to invest), to ensure that Claire House complies with the law and its Articles of Association and to ensure that the charity remains solvent and not exposed to undue risk. The Board of Trustees meets once a quarter, supported by a number of off-board committees. Trustees are expected to make a commitment to attend each meeting and to represent the board on committee(s) where they have specific interests and/or expertise. It is the statutory duty of Claire House Trustees: To ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document (Articles of Association), organisation law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations To ensure that the organisation pursues its objectives as defined in its Articles of Association To ensure the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objectives, i.e. the organisation must not spend money on activities which are not included in its own objectives, no matter how worthwhile or charitable those activities are To contribute actively to the board of Trustees' role in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets To safeguard the good name and values of Claire House To represent Claire House at functions and meetings as appropriate To declare any conflict of interest while carrying out the duties of a Trustee To be collectively responsible for the actions of the organisation and other Trustees To ensure the effective and efficient administration of Claire House To abide by the equal opportunities policy To ensure the financial stability of Claire House both now and by planning and investing for the future To protect and manage the property of Claire House and to ensure the proper investment of the organisation's funds To make sure Claire House is properly insured against all reasonable liabilities To appoint and support the Chief Executive Officer and other employees and monitor their performance. The Nolan Principles of Public Life Trustees must also adhere to the 7 Nolan Principles of Public Life: 1. Selflessness Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. 2. Integrity Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships. 3. Objectivity Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias. 4. Accountability Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this. 5. Openness Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing. 6. Honesty Holders of public office should be truthful. 7. Leadership Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and be willing to challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs. For further information on the 7 principles and the work of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, visit the Committees website Additional duties of Claire House Trustees: First and foremost, Claire House requires its Trustees to be focused on the wider role and responsibilities of being a governing Director of Claire House and take an active part in all aspects of being a Trustee. However, the organisation also requires the following from its Trustees: Each Trustee should use any specific 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 requested by the board on new initiatives, or other issues relevant to the work of Claire House in which the Trustee has special expertise Examples of this expertise include experience in governance, business, management, nursing, medicine, childrens palliative care, finance, fundraising, PR and law. To attend Board meetings, and to read papers in advance of meetings To chair and attend sub-committee meetings, liaising with the ELT Lead for that committee To participate in other tasks as they arise from time to time, such as helping with fundraising and representing Claire House at events or other appointments To keep informed about the activities of Claire House and wider issues which affect its work. Job description Job responsibilities Vision and strategic context Our vision is that every baby, child and young adult who is seriously or terminally ill, receives the very best care and support, together with their family, whenever and wherever they may need it. Our mission is that Together we make the biggest difference in life and death to every baby, child, young adult, and family dealing with a terminal diagnosis. We provide and influence the delivery of outstanding care, ensuring the greatest impact is achieved whenever and wherever that care is provided. We cannot stop children from dying, but we can ensure that families facing this painful journey are supported throughout their childs life, through their loss, and for as long as is needed afterwards. Right now, we cannot reach everyone who needs our support, and we cannot meet the immense demand for our services. Together Towards Tomorrow - our ambitious five-year strategy - describes how we will change that. We have an unwavering commitment to this strategy. A commitment that will not stop, until together, we can say that no family faces this heartbreak without the support they so desperately deserve. More details on our 5-year strategy can be found on the Claire House website. Overview Claire House Children's Hospice helps seriously and terminally ill children live life to the full by creating wonderful experiences and bringing back a sense of normality to family life. By providing specialist nursing care and emotional support we help families smile again when life couldn,t get any tougher. Claire House is passionate about providing the best possible support to these children and their families. It is vital to the charity that its governance reflects this standard of care and that the Trustees lead the organisation effectively both now and in the future. It is the responsibility of the Trustees of Claire House to loyally pursue the objects of the charity, to protect its assets (including a duty to invest), to ensure that Claire House complies with the law and its Articles of Association and to ensure that the charity remains solvent and not exposed to undue risk. The Board of Trustees meets once a quarter, supported by a number of off-board committees. Trustees are expected to make a commitment to attend each meeting and to represent the board on committee(s) where they have specific interests and/or expertise. It is the statutory duty of Claire House Trustees: To ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document (Articles of Association), organisation law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations To ensure that the organisation pursues its objectives as defined in its Articles of Association To ensure the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objectives, i.e. the organisation must not spend money on activities which are not included in its own objectives, no matter how worthwhile or charitable those activities are To contribute actively to the board of Trustees' role in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets To safeguard the good name and values of Claire House To represent Claire House at functions and meetings as appropriate To declare any conflict of interest while carrying out the duties of a Trustee To be collectively responsible for the actions of the organisation and other Trustees To ensure the effective and efficient administration of Claire House To abide by the equal opportunities policy To ensure the financial stability of Claire House both now and by planning and investing for the future To protect and manage the property of Claire House and to ensure the proper investment of the organisation's funds To make sure Claire House is properly insured against all reasonable liabilities To appoint and support the Chief Executive Officer and other employees and monitor their performance. The Nolan Principles of Public Life Trustees must also adhere to the 7 Nolan Principles of Public Life: 1. Selflessness Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. 2. Integrity Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships. 3. Objectivity Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias. 4. Accountability Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this. 5. Openness Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing. 6. Honesty Holders of public office should be truthful. 7. Leadership Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and be willing to challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs. For further information on the 7 principles and the work of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, visit the Committees website Additional duties of Claire House Trustees: First and foremost, Claire House requires its Trustees to be focused on the wider role and responsibilities of being a governing Director of Claire House and take an active part in all aspects of being a Trustee. However, the organisation also requires the following from its Trustees: Each Trustee should use any specific 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 requested by the board on new initiatives, or other issues relevant to the work of Claire House in which the Trustee has special expertise Examples of this expertise include experience in governance, business, management, nursing, medicine, childrens palliative care, finance, fundraising, PR and law. To attend Board meetings, and to read papers in advance of meetings To chair and attend sub-committee meetings, liaising with the ELT Lead for that committee To participate in other tasks as they arise from time to time, such as helping with fundraising and representing Claire House at events or other appointments To keep informed about the activities of Claire House and wider issues which affect its work. Person Specification Each Trustee must have Essential Integrity A commitment to Claire House and its objectives An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to their duties as a Trustee Strategic vision Good, independent judgment An ability to think creatively Willingness and ability to speak their mind An ability to work effectively as a member of a team. Fit and Proper Person Essential All Trustees must meet the Fit and Proper Persons CQC requirement, which states that Directors and the charitys Executive Leadership Team must: Be of good character Have the appropriate qualifications, competence, skills and experience for the relevant office or position, including that they show a caring and compassionate nature in line with Claire House values, and appropriate aptitude; Have the relevant experience and ability, including an appropriate level of physical and mental health, taking account of any reasonable adjustments; and Exhibit appropriate personal behaviour and business practices. In addition, people appointed to these roles must not have not been responsible for, or known, contributed to or facilitated any serious misconduct or mismanagement in carrying on a regulated activity. The necessary checks and monitoring will be taken out as per the charity's Fit and Proper Persons Policy. The board of Trustees will need skills and experience in the following areas: Essential Governance Charing and participating in meetings Experience of the service for example being the parent or grandparent of a family who receives support from Claire House Setting targets, monitoring and evaluating performance and programmes in commercial and non-profit organisations Financial management Nursing (preferably with experience of similar organisations) Medicine (for example working with children and young people) Legal matters Fundraising Recruitment and personnel management, including a knowledge of employment legislation Public Relations Marketing Information and Communication Technology Campaigning Education and learning. Trustees are expected to have personal development plans that are in line with the needs of the charity and its good governance. Training will be provided and funded where required. Person Specification Each Trustee must have Essential Integrity A commitment to Claire House and its objectives An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to their duties as a Trustee Strategic vision Good, independent judgment An ability to think creatively Willingness and ability to speak their mind An ability to work effectively as a member of a team. Fit and Proper Person Essential All Trustees must meet the Fit and Proper Persons CQC requirement, which states that Directors and the charitys Executive Leadership Team must: Be of good character Have the appropriate qualifications, competence, skills and experience for the relevant office or position, including that they show a caring and compassionate nature in line with Claire House values, and appropriate aptitude; Have the relevant experience and ability, including an appropriate level of physical and mental health, taking account of any reasonable adjustments; and Exhibit appropriate personal behaviour and business practices. In addition, people appointed to these roles must not have not been responsible for, or known, contributed to or facilitated any serious misconduct or mismanagement in carrying on a regulated activity. The necessary checks and monitoring will be taken out as per the charity's Fit and Proper Persons Policy. The board of Trustees will need skills and experience in the following areas: Essential Governance Charing and participating in meetings Experience of the service for example being the parent or grandparent of a family who receives support from Claire House Setting targets, monitoring and evaluating performance and programmes in commercial and non-profit organisations Financial management Nursing (preferably with experience of similar organisations) Medicine (for example working with children and young people) Legal matters Fundraising Recruitment and personnel management, including a knowledge of employment legislation Public Relations Marketing Information and Communication Technology Campaigning Education and learning. Trustees are expected to have personal development plans that are in line with the needs of the charity and its good governance. Training will be provided and funded where required. Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Employer details Employer name Claire House Address Clatterbridge Road Bebington Wirral Merseyside CH63 4JD Employer's website https://www.clairehouse.org.uk (Opens in a new tab)