Position Description
We are now seeking to appoint a Trustee with specialist knowledge and responsibility for safety, wellbeing and welfare. Entitled “Wellbeing Champion”, the purpose of this role is to take the lead for the welfare and safety of the Association’s Members and people (with overall responsibility held by the Board of Trustees) as well as fulfilling the general responsibilities of a Trustee.
Do you have the expertise to drive our governance arrangements in this area of work?
Preferably as a professional in a related field, you will bring your specialist knowledge to the table to enhance our practice in this area, as well as fulfilling the duties of a Trustee at the ESFA
The ESFA is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk. Due to the nature of this role, the successful candidate may be required to undertake a Disclosure & Barring (DBS) check through The FA DBS process. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and the information provided. Please note that checks on candidates’ online profiles / activity may be made.
ROLE DESCRIPTION
TRUSTEE AND WELLBEING CHAMPTION OF THE ENGLISH SCHOOLS’ FA
Role: Trustee and Wellbeing Champion
Salary & benefits: This is a voluntary post although reasonable expenses will be reimbursed
Responsible to: Chair of Trustees
Main responsibilities: To fulfil the duties of Trustees, and specifically take the lead for the welfare and safety of the Association’s Members and people (with overall responsibility held by the Board of Trustees)
Specialist Purpose
- To lead the Board in ensuring its responsibilities towards the welfare and safety of its members and people (including but not limited to employees, participants and volunteers) are factored into the decisions it makes and shall appoint one of its Directors to take a lead in this area.
- Ensure the Board has a clear oversight of all aspects of welfare and safety including but not limited to safeguarding (adults and children), mental health and wellbeing (including psychological safety), anti-doping (where applicable) and integrity issues.
- Take the lead on the Board in establishing a culture, across the organisation, where welfare and safety is paramount.
- Responsible for checking and challenging the Board on decisions that affect welfare and safety across the organisation.
- Provide support for the executive staff on issues relating to welfare and safety.
- Provide a direct route for people within the Association to raise welfare and safety concerns
Trustee general duties
Collectively, the Board of Trustees is required to direct the business affairs of the Association and to determine the vision and strategy, plans, policies and financial investment required to achieve the Association’s aims. As such, individually and collectively, the Directors are accountable to the Membership.
- To propose the strategy for the Association and to consult with members on business plan objectives, priorities and plans;
- To set the legal, regulatory, governance, financial and operational frameworks of the Association, including for safeguarding and for supporting ESFA senior leadership to embed culture, diversity and inclusion through the organisation
- To monitor the implementation, compliance with and outcomes from those frameworks;
- To evaluate the performance of the Association against each of these frameworks with a view to continuous improvement;
- To establish committees to support the conduct of the Association’s business;
- To take advice from the Council on footballing matters, and to contribute to the delivery of football either locally, regionally or nationally;
- To be an active board member, providing strategic oversight and to constructively challenge and review the ESFA strategic plan.
- Attend Trustees meetings, usually monthly, between September and June each year, with no more than two absences per year;
- To fulfil the financial responsibilities of the role as prescribed in the Financial Regulations;
- To participate in training, development and review processes necessary to fulfil the role;
- To support the ESFA Council to fulfil its responsibilities;
- To act with high standards of professionalism, business integrity and personal conduct at all times;
- To act as an ambassador for the ESFA in the conduct of all business;
- To comply with the requirements of the Trustee handbook;
- To discharge the responsibilities of Trustees as laid down by the Charity Commission.
Eligibility to serve as a Trustee
Every charity trustee must be a natural person and not a corporate body.
No one may be appointed as a charity trustee:
- if he or she is under the age of 16 years; or
- if he or she would automatically cease to hold office under the provisions of clause 16(1)(f).
No one is entitled to act as a charity trustee whether on appointment or on any re-appointment until he or she has expressly acknowledged, in whatever way the charity trustees decide, his or her acceptance of the office of charity trustee.
At least one of the trustees of the ESFA must be 18 years of age or over.