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.