The Role We Are Recruiting For

Mencap Trust Company is seeking to appoint a new Non-Executive Director with particular experience relating to one or more of the following areas:

• social care systems and provision,
• welfare benefits and statutory support,
• powers of attorney, deputyship for welfare matters and advanced decision making,
• the lived experience of navigating services as a family member or carer of a person with a learning disability and autism.

This experience may have been gained through professional roles, personal or family experience, or a combination of both. We value expertise gained through lived experience equally alongside professional knowledge.

We ask Directors to serve on at least one Committee. The successful candidate will also become a key member of the Board’s Welfare Committee, playing an active role in shaping decisions that directly affect beneficiaries’ lives.

The Role of a Mencap Trust Company Director

Directors of Mencap Trust Company have two core responsibilities.

1. Decision-Making in the Best Interests of Beneficiaries

Directors bring their experience and independent judgement to make decisions about how trusts are used to support individual beneficiaries. These decisions often involve balancing:

• quality of life and wellbeing,
• statutory provision and gaps in support,
• safeguarding considerations, and
• long-term sustainability of trust funds.

Directors are asked to consider requests that fall outside delegated authority, particularly where there is complexity, urgency or significant impact on a beneficiary’s life.

2. Governance, Oversight and Ambassadorship

Directors collectively oversee:

• MTC’s strategy and long-term development,
• risk, compliance and safeguarding,
• financial sustainability and value for money, and
• MTC’s relationship with Royal Mencap Society and external stakeholders.

Directors also act as ambassadors for MTC’s work and values, helping to strengthen confidence in the organisation among families, professionals and partners.

MTC Board members work collaboratively with the wider Royal Mencap Society team to enable people with a learning disability to live their lives to the full.

The Welfare Committee

The Welfare Committee is central to MTC’s purpose and holds delegated authority on behalf of the MTC Board to execute some key responsibilities. It brings together Directors with relevant experience to focus in depth on beneficiary welfare, safeguarding and trust decision-making.

The Committee:

• considers trust requests requiring Board-level authorisation,
• supports the staff team in complex or sensitive cases,
• reviews emerging themes from beneficiary visits and feedback, and
• undertakes deeper annual reviews of safeguarding, complaints, the use of trust funds and trust request processes.

The Committee meets quarterly, with meetings held remotely on Microsoft Teams. This role would be particularly well suited to someone motivated by the real-world impact of sound, person-centred decision-making in social care and support systems—helping people with a learning disability to achieve their goals and do the things that matter to them.

Who We Are Looking For

We are keen to hear from candidates who can bring insight into the realities faced by people with a learning disability and their families when accessing:

• social care services,
• welfare benefits and entitlements,
• health, housing or community support, or
• advocacy, representation and safeguarding pathways.

You do not need previous board experience. Support, induction and mentoring will be provided.

We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate:

• sound judgement and the ability to contribute constructively to group decision-making,
• empathy and respect for the lived experiences of people with a learning disability,
• confidence in discussing complex or sensitive welfare issues,
• alignment with Mencap’s values: passionate, inclusive, brave, positive & kind,
• willingness to learn about discretionary trusts and trust law (training provided), and
• the ability to commit the necessary time and preparation.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Mencap Trust Company warmly welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds, recognising that a diverse Board with a range of backgrounds and experience will enable us to better support the wide range of families and individuals that use our service.

Terms of Appointment

• The role is unpaid, with reasonable expenses reimbursed.
• The Board meets four times a year, usually for half-day meetings in London (with the option for remote dial in) plus an annual in-person strategy day.
• Directors typically commit around 12 days per year, including meeting preparation and committee membership.
• Appointments are for an initial fixed term of four years, with the possibility of renewal for a second term by mutual agreement.
• The successful candidate will need to complete a ‘fit and proper’ test for HMRC and Companies House registration as a company director. We will support this.
• A structured induction programme will be provided.