NAPAC Trustees Candidate Recruitment Pack December 2016 1
Contents Page Welcome from the NAPAC Chair About NAPAC Experience sought: o Trustee Role Description o Trustee Person Specification Recruitment Timetable How to apply 2
Welcome from the NAPAC Chair Dear Candidate, Thank you for your interest in joining the NAPAC Board of Trustees. It s a distressing fact that most childhood abuse isn t reported, detected or prosecuted. It s a crime that is usually only witnessed by the abuser and the victim. Over half a million children are abused in the UK each year, sexually, physically and/or emotionally, according to the research. For every child identified as needing protection from abuse, another eight are suffering from it. These children become adults and the effect of the abuse they suffer is enduring and usually has a significant effect on their adult lives. It is adults who have had such experiences that NAPAC seeks to support; we work to mitigate the impact on the lives of victims and survivors of these experiences. You will know, from the current media reports and those of the last few years that the subject of childhood sexual abuse is particularly high profile at the moment, with increasing numbers of disclosures of non-recent abuse being made. But for every single high profile case there are thousands that do not come into the public eye. Current estimates are that there are at least 11 million adult survivors of contact and non-contact child sexual abuse in the UK. Our helpline is experiencing an unprecedented demand in increase for our service. This is putting a real strain on our resources and we are strengthening our governance and organisational structure to cope with this. We have several key spheres of activity: We support survivors and victims through a free telephone helpline email support service; We run a number of facilitated support groups for people to safely talk through their experiences and feelings in depth; We campaign to improve awareness of the impact of abuse and to increase the range and quality of services available; We give survivors and victims a voice by speaking out on behalf of the many who are understandably too afraid to publically speak out; We articulate the issues to the wider public and communicate to them a sense of the devastating and enduring efforts that this has on the lives of both adults and children; We train our own volunteers to run our helpline and support groups; We provide training programmes for professionals and others working with both adults and children to help them to better understand how to support the victims and survivors. 3
Our free telephone support line has worked with around 100,000 adult victims of childhood abuse over the years and our volunteers deal with over 5000 callers who use our helpline every year, yet regrettably our current capacity cannot meet the fast-growing demand for our services and we need to grow, and be resourced, to meet this demand. Our board of trustees has required strengthening for some time to match the increase in our activity, to help promote and support our growth and to map out our future strategic roadmap in line with our stated mission and objectives. We are looking for a number of trustees with skills in specific areas, detailed in this candidate pack. Our vision is of a society in which every adult survivor of childhood abuse in the UK can access the support they need, when they need it. If you have a passion for our cause and a commitment to what we do and skills to contribute, then I trust you will be motivated to consider joining us as a trustee and submit your application. If, after you have read the application pack, you want to have a telephone discussion with me then please send me an email to john.bakker@napac.org.uk. Please ensure you include a contact phone number and I will get back to you. I look forward to hearing from you. Best regards, John Bakker Chair, NAPAC 4
About NAPAC NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood) is the UK s leading national organisation established to support survivors of abuse during childhood, and the practitioners working in this field, including academics and policymakers who promote learning, research and insight into the issues faced by adult survivors of childhood abuse. Our primary goal is to encourage and empower survivors to take control of their healing and recovery. We do this by offering empathy, validation, normalisation, understanding and care. We can also offer information for those who have questions about the impact of abuse, common coping mechanisms, and the different ways in which healing and recovery can be achieved over time. The organisation works to provide essential help and support for survivors, people who might have concerns about someone else, and access to training for people who work to support survivors, and who and set the policies and guidelines for people working in other support areas such as GPs, police forces, prison staff, probation officers, social workers, local authorities and mental health professionals Our Mission - what NAPAC does Provides a range of services which offer direct support to survivors, such as our helpline and support groups, plus information for people who want to support survivors Ensures that survivors know where they can go for help Spreads best practice in the support of survivors among those who they may approach for help, including training for people who work with adult survivors, such as health professionals, the police and the prison service amongst others Works with others to increase the provision and effectiveness of support for survivors Stands up for survivors and representing their interests among those who are in a position to help improve their lives: advocating on survivors behalf in the media and combatting the stigma surrounding child abuse, and responding to/commenting on consultations. Full information about NAPAC services can be found here, and where you can read inspiring stories from some of our survivors: www.napac.org.uk 5
The Opportunities Trustees play an essential role in the governance of NAPAC. We wish to extend and strengthen our board and increase its diversity to ensure that we exercise sound governance in pursuit of our charitable objectives, and that we are open and fair in all our dealings. Statutory Duties All trustees have a personal statutory: Duty of trust Duty to act responsibly and in the best interests of the charity and its present and future beneficiaries Duty to avoid, or manage in line with the Charity Commission requirements, conflicts of interest Duty to safeguard assets and to protect and manage the financial basis of the charity and to ensure the proper investment of its funds Duty not to benefit from their position, unless this has been agreed with the Charity Commission Duty to ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation Duty to use reasonable care and skill to make well-informed decisions, taking advice when needed Duty to keep accounts. Further guidance on the role of trustees can be found on the Charity Commission s website at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/charity-trustee-whats-involved https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-essential-trustee-what-you-need-to-know-cc3 6
NAPAC Trustee - Role Description and Responsibilities All Trustees have the following roles and responsibilities. Compliance: To ensure that NAPAC complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations To ensure that NAPAC pursues its objects as defined in its governing document and provides a public benefit To maintain proper financial control and to ensure that NAPAC applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects To ensure that financial controls and systems of risk management are robust and that the Board is kept fully informed through timely and relevant information. Strategy: To take an active part in discussions on the strategic development of the charity To set, maintain and review vision, mission and values To establish clear objectives to deliver the agreed plans and strategy to achieve the charity s objects To hold the Chief Executive/Chair to account for the effective management and delivery of the charity s aims and objectives To safeguard the good name and reputation of the charity To agree an effective communication strategy that includes the needs of staff. Operations: To support, but not actively participate in the operational management of the organisation To ensure that risk reviews for all aspects of the charity s work are carried out and that a risk register is put in place and reviewed on a regular basis To monitor the grants awarded and to review grant-making policy To promote NAPAC s work To keep up to date with key issues and new initiatives. 7
NAPAC Trustee - Person Specification It is essential that in your written application you give evidence of examples of proven experience in each of the selection criteria in Part One of the person specification. These responses will be developed and discussed with those candidates invited for interview, together with the other criteria listed in Part Two. Part One Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship and an understanding of the respective roles of the Chair, Trustees and Director of Operations Experience at board level in a substantial organisation in at least one of the private, public or not-for-profit sectors and ideally with practical experience across more than one of these sectors A proven ability to work effectively as a member of a team while contributing an independent perspective The ability to think strategically and challenge constructively A commitment to NAPAC s charitable aims and vision Candidates applying for the role of member of the Finance Committee should also highlight their practical understanding of financial accounts, risk management and the role of audit committee. Depth of experience and skills in your specialist area. We are open to applications from candidates with any background although would be particularly interested in those who have skills/experience in one or more of the following: The skills and experience to support the Treasurer in the discharge of their duties; Business strategy & business development expertise; Fundraising (ideally with corporate fundraising knowledge); Expertise in volunteer management and development Experience of managing and operating helplines/call centres and similar support services; Media and communications expertise, including campaign management; PR and profile-raising skills; managing reputational risk; Experience of third sector and/or public sector contracting; Experience of third sector commercial trading; HR expertise and/or recruitment knowledge; Knowledge of Cyber-security and the digital world; People who have direct personal experience of the issues NAPAC seeks to address. 8
Part Two An understanding of, and commitment to, the values of accountability, probity and openness A proven track record of being able to process detail and get to the heart of an issue The ability to ask probing questions in a constructive way Ability to promote effective working relationships among Board Members and with management Undisputed personal integrity and personal credibility A willingness to devote the time and effort required to effectively discharge the duties of this role Confident and effective in an ambassadorial and advocate role for the charity Time Commitment 5-6 main Board meetings per annum usually held at our London office *We have facilities available for trustees to join by Skype when necessary Trustees are will be asked to sit on at least one sub-committee: Finance/Audit and Risk; Fundraising; Strategy/Policy/Planning. According to their remit sub-committees may be regular or ad-hoc. AGM/Away Day Other ad hoc events subject to trustee s availability/as required We are currently reviewing and revising our governance document and are likely to establish time limits on trustee tenure. Reasonable expenses incurred in the pursuit of trustee s duties will be reimbursed Like most trustee roles, this role is unremunerated. 9
How to apply To apply for this role, please supply the following: supporting statement, explaining your interest in NAPAC and how you believe your skills and experience match the requirements of the role a completed Fit & Proper Persons Declaration (if you have not already done this at time of registering with TU) a comprehensive CV, including details of two referees (who will not of course be contacted without your prior knowledge or consent) These documents should be uploaded to the relevant fields on the website via the application link below: TU5049_NAPAC application link Timetable The closing date for applications is Monday 30th January 2017. Candidates are asked to also note the following dates: Trustees Unlimited to forward applications to NAPAC Nominations Committee: w/c 30th January Trustees Unlimited to notify shortlisted candidates for interview: w/c 6th February Final interviews with NAPAC Nominations Committee: TBC February Nominated Candidates to attend Board Meeting as an observer and have their appointment confirmed: February or April 2017 2017 Board meeting dates to be confirmed shortly. **please remember to advise us about any dates that are really inconvenient for you when your application is submitted and NAPAC will make every effort to accommodate. 10