Main Purpose

The Board acts as the ultimate decision maker for BUCS, ensuring that it is operating in line with its strategic aims and fulfilling its charitable purposes. The Board are committed to the long-term interests of the organisation and meet regularly to oversee and direct business operations. To do this effectively it is key that the Board are provided with leadership and assurance on BUCS’ responsibilities for safety, health, and welfare. This includes safeguarding staff, members, and participants, ensuring compliance with both the higher education sector’s duties towards students and the safeguarding standards required across the sport sector.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Welfare and Safety Lead

• Board leadership – Champion safety, safeguarding, and wellbeing considerations in board discussions and decision-making, ensuring they are embedded in organisational culture.

• External advocacy – Act as a visible board champion for safety and welfare in engagement with members, institutions, and partners.

• Safeguarding oversight – Scrutinise safeguarding policies related to the BUCS Safeguarding Scope of Liability, ensuring they meet the dual expectations of higher education institutions and sport sector frameworks.

• Health and safety – Monitor compliance with health and safety legislation and good practice, covering staff workplace safety, participant wellbeing, and incident management.

• Staff and volunteer welfare – Oversee policies and practices that promote staff and volunteer wellbeing, including dignity at work, mental health support, and safe channels for raising concerns.

• Risk and assurance – Collaborate with the Board and Finance, Audit & Risk Committee to identify, mitigate, and regularly review safety and welfare risks, ensuring learning from incidents informs future practice.

Board Member Trustee

· Provide constructive check and challenge to ensure that the perspective of the Membership is considered within BUCS leadership and decision making.

· Ensure BUCS is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit in accordance with its Articles of Association.

· Ensure compliance with regulatory bodies, codes and funding partners, including but not limited to Companies House, the Charities Commission, HMRC and the UK Code for Sport Governance.

· Act in BUCS’ best interest and ensure BUCS’ resources are managed responsibly.

· Support the delivery of the BUCS Strategy, by advising and constructively challenging the development, implementation and evaluation of the BUCS approach to member engagement

· Support the organisation to identify, manage and mitigate risk, especially elements associated with member engagement.

· Hold a place on additional sub-committees of the Board where necessary.

· Represent BUCS in public.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

BUCS are looking for a Member to fulfil the position of Welfare and Safety Lead who is committed to providing board-level leadership and assurance on safeguarding, health, safety, and welfare. The successful candidate will champion safety and wellbeing considerations in board discussions, ensure BUCS policies meet both higher education and sport-sector standards, and foster a culture where staff, students, and participants can thrive. They will also be committed to ensuring member perspectives inform BUCS decision making. 

Research shows that some people will refrain from applying for a role if they feel they do not meet 100% of the person specification. BUCS encourages applications from anyone who thinks they meet the key skills and knowledge listed below, even if they feel they do not have all of them. We are passionate about identifying the right people to help us develop and thrive.

Key skills and knowledge

· Knowledge of safeguarding frameworks for adults and children, including higher education duties of care and sport-sector standards

· Understanding of health and safety legislation and best practice relevant to workplaces, events, and participant activities

· Familiarity with mental health, wellbeing, and psychological safety principles, including dignity at work and safe reporting channels

· Knowledge of corporate governance and charity law, and the responsibilities of non-executive Trustees.

· Good experience of developing and monitoring the delivery of strategies.

· Ability to work with, support and constructively challenge the Executive and Board colleagues.

· Experience of influencing others, in an advocacy capacity.

· A commitment to BUCS, its mission, vision and values.

· An understanding of sport in the Higher Education environment.

· Highly developed communication and influencing skills.

· Ability to exercise good independent judgement.