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“I volunteer with another organisation, and I have to say the support at Home-Start is superior! It’s a lovely place to volunteer with. I feel appreciated and that everyone is involved with the organisation for the right reasons.”

A Home-Start volunteer

Role description for Chairperson

The following are additional to the role, responsibilities and duties of a trustee.

Role:

To lead the trustee board, ensuring that it fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of the scheme and to optimise the relationship between the trustees, the staff and volunteers.

Responsibilities:
  • leading the trustee board in its role of setting the direction and strategy of the scheme
  • ensuring that the trustee board employs its resources to comply with all legal requirements and acts in furtherance of the objects of the scheme at all times
  • planning the annual cycle of trustee and sub-committee meetings
  • setting the agenda for trustees’ meetings
  • monitoring the implementation of decisions taken at meetings
  • ensuring compliance with the Home-Start Agreement and Quality Assurance system.
Duties:
  • chairing and facilitating meetings of the trustees and sub-committees as appropriate
  • liaising regularly with the senior member of staff to maintain an overview of the scheme’s affairs and activities and to provide support and guidance as appropriate
  • representing the scheme when appropriate at functions and meetings
  • acting as a spokesperson when appropriate
  • leading the process of appraising the senior worker
  • sitting on appointment panels for staff
  • bringing impartiality and objectivity to decision making
  • sitting on disciplinary panels as appropriate
  • facilitating change and addressing conflict within the board of trustees and within the scheme.
Person specification for Chairperson:
  • Commitment to Home-Start.
  • Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort.
  • Strategic vision.
  • Good, independent judgement.
  • Ability to think creatively.
  • Willingness to speak their mind.
  • Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.
  • Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
  • Understanding of the importance of Nolan’s seven principles of public life; selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
  • Leadership skills.
  • Experience of committee work.
  • Tact and diplomacy.
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences.