Introduction by our Chair

Thank you so much for your interest in volunteering with Off the Record Bath and North East Somerset. (OTR BaNES). This applicant pack aims to give you more insight into the role of being a trustee with OTR and the types of roles that we are looking to fill.

OTR is seeking 5-6 volunteer trustees to join us at an exciting time of development for the charity.  We are looking for trustees who have some specific experience or expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Finance (Treasurer)
• Digital/Tech
• HR/Employment Law
• Young Person (18-25 years old)
• Working with/identifying with communities of social and economic deprivation, people of colour and boys/young men.

We welcome candidates for the trustee roles from all backgrounds, but we will prioritise those who will help us to continue to diversify the team.

We are particularly keen to appoint trustees with lived experience that reflects an aspect of the lives of the young people we serve and aspire to serve. In our new strategy we have committed to increasing the proportion of young people accessing our services from communities where health and wellbeing issues are more prevalent: people from low income backgrounds, people of colour and boys and young men. We are committed to creating an equitable environment where all can thrive. We will ensure that the recruitment process and decision making has representation of both age and other forms of diversity.

You will be joining an active and supportive team of trustees at an exciting time for our well established and highly regarded charity. The role will be challenging at times but very rewarding. It will provide invaluable experience and the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of young people. We meet as a Board six times a year, plus some additional meetings for any subgroups and other trustee activities. We’ll provide you with a full and thorough induction, and give you the chance to meet staff, volunteers and most importantly the young people we serve.

In this pack, you will find more details about this trustee role, and specifics about the sort of people we are looking for.

If you are interested any of the roles, or unsure which one might be for you, feel free to reach out to our Director, Phil for an informal discussion. We really encourage an informal chat if you want to ask any questions or find out more. We look forward to hearing from you.

TRUSTEE (HR/EMPLOYMENT LAW)

The Trustee (HR/Employment Law) will oversee and support the legal and human resources activities of OTR in line with good practice and in accordance with the governing document and legal requirements. They will work with SMT to report to the Board at regular intervals about issues that affect the charity in relation to changes in employment law or HR issues affecting the organisation.

To the extent that the expertise falls outside the specific expertise or knowledge of the trustee then they shall ensure that further expertise is recommended to the Board and sourced if approved.

The purpose of the role

To ensure the Board of Trustees has appropriate oversight of HR and employment issues and can give or seek advice where appropriate.

Responsibilities include:

• Liaising with the SMT and the board if required, regarding any changes to employment law/ HR issues which may affect the charity
• Bringing to the Board’s attention any relevant legal obligations to enable the charity to remain compliant with all legal requirements
• Being instrumental in the development, risk assessment, review and implementation of new policies and ensuring that procedures are in place for the same
• Advising the Director and Board, when assistance is requested or where issues are brought to Trustees’ attention, in relation to any employment law/ HR issues that may arise
• Advising the Director and Board when further specialist advice may be required and assisting in sourcing the same, wherever possible and appropriate on a pro bono basis.

What we are looking for

We are looking for a Trustee who has excellent HR or employment law experience. You may have a HR or legal background and you are not expected to have expertise across all areas. If external advice is required outside your expertise, the Director and SMT will work with you to source the support that the organisation needs.