Play it Forward is seeking an individual to join our dedicated UK Board as a Lead Safeguarding Trustee. This is an opportunity to work with an small international charity that supports vulnerable children and young people in Zambia.
What will you be doing?
While safeguarding is a shared responsibility of all Trustees, we acknowledge the need for an experienced Safeguarding Lead to support the Board in addition to their wider responsibilities as a Trustee. This is an unpaid voluntary position.
Essential skills and experience
- Current or recent experience working in safeguarding children as either an employee or volunteer.
- Willingness to constructively participate in discussions concerning needs of the organisation’s beneficiaries, staff and the trustee board.
- Ability to act reasonably and responsibly when undertaking such duties and performing tasks.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality on sensitive and confidential information.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Main duties and responsibilities
Strategic
- Ensure that the role and the responsibilities of trustees and senior staff regarding safeguarding are met.
- Ensure the Charity adheres to relevant national/international guidance and standards for safeguarding. This will include safer recruitment; whistle blowing; codes of conduct; appropriate training levels of all relevant personnel; etc.
- Provide feedback to the Board on safeguarding within the Charity at trustee meetings.
Policy and Practice
- Check the organisation’s risk register reflects safeguarding risks properly and plans sensible measures to take, including relevant insurance for trustees liability.
- Work with the CEO and a designated safeguarding lead to be the first point of contact for concerns, and to provide support and supervision for them.
- Make sure there is an annual review of safeguarding policies and procedures and that this is reported to trustees
Culture
- Ensure that trustees and senior staff take child and adult protection seriously and respond to concerns about the welfare of any person that might require protection.
- Ensure there are robust governance processes in place to provide assurance that a positive culture of safeguarding is actively promoted.
- Support the trustees in developing their individual and collective understanding of safeguarding.
- Champion safeguarding throughout the organisation
What are we looking for?
- Current or recent experience working in safeguarding children as either an employee or volunteer.
- Willingness to constructively participate in discussions concerning needs of the organisation’s beneficiaries, staff and the trustee board.
- Ability to act reasonably and responsibly when undertaking such duties and performing tasks.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality on sensitive and confidential information.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
What difference will you make?
This is a vital role that ensures a duty of care for the vulnerable children and young people we work with in Zambia. You will help Play it Forward to protect our staff, beneficiaries and project partners to ensure they reach their full potential and thrive.
Before you apply
Please apply through Reach in the first instance. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to share a CV and we will arrange for an informal chat.
For more information: Lead Safeguarding Trustee, Play it Forward | Reach Volunteering
