SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, is seeking a Trustee with a background in Health, Social Care or Education to join our purpose-driven and passionate Council (Board of Trustees). This individual would lead in ensuring that Safeguarding was everyone’s business across the organisation.  Are you ready to play a leading role in shaping the strategic direction of the UK’S oldest national tri-service charity?

Founded in 1885, we have a rich history of providing a range of exceptional services, with the needs of our beneficiaries at the heart of everything we do. We are deeply committed to our mission:

We exist to relieve need, suffering and distress amongst the Armed Forces, veterans and their families in order to support their independence and dignity.

This is an exciting time to join our Council to help shape the future of this dynamic and relevant charity, as we steer SSAFA through a significant change programme - SSAFA@140. The knowledge and experience you will bring to the role of this Trustee will be instrumental in this period of strategic change and have a lasting impact on the lives of our beneficiaries.

About the Role

• The purpose of this role is to bring insight and understanding of the function of health and social care services and the regulatory framework that governs best practice in these vital areas.

• The Trustee will Chair SSAFA’s Safeguarding Board, and work with them to develop and monitor our Annual Safeguarding Plan and report to the Trustee Board on progress.

• Other duties include: translating the risks and challenges related to safeguarding, health and social care services for other Trustees, to enable the board as a whole to make informed decisions; leading on developing our work with both volunteers and staff to make safeguarding “everybody’s business”; and the statutory responsibilities of Trusteeship.

• For further details about the role, you will find the role description in the Recruitment Pack.

• This is a voluntary role, but all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed. We will also provide all the necessary, ongoing training to support you in this role.

Requirements for the Role

• An experienced and successful individual with a background in health, education, social care or large voluntary organisations with some knowledge of safeguarding, its strategic development and operational delivery.

• An understanding of the current legislative and best practice framework as it relates to safeguarding vulnerable adults and children, as well as in leadership in complex organisations.

• Current knowledge of safeguarding within a military context, or the curiosity to develop this knowledge to inform strategy.

• An advocate for SSAFA, helping to build a community of people who are passionate about who we are, what we do and the difference we make.

• Demonstrable experience of building and sustaining relationships with key stakeholders and colleagues to achieve organisational objectives.

• The tenure for this role is an initial three-year term, with the possibility of serving a maximum of three terms in total.

• We are looking for someone who has the time to commit to four Council meetings and four committee meetings annually, the Annual Members Meeting and any relevant conferences as agreed.

• A DBS check will be required for this role.

We are deeply committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and we welcome applications from all members of our society.

Further Information

View the full recruitment pack here.

If you have any queries or would like to speak to someone about this role, please contact recruitment@ssafa.org.uk.

To apply click on "start your application" in the top right hand corner.

The application process is designed to remove bias from the hiring process. You will be asked to answer five questions related to the role and attach your CV. Please answer the questions as fully as possible within the 250 word limit as this is what we will use to shortlist applications. Your CV will only be seen after the shortlisting process is complete.

Closing date: Midnight on 7th August 2022

Interviews: TBC.