Young Trustee

What is the role?

• We are currently recruiting for one place on the Board of Just for Kids Law for a Trustee who has direct experience of our services, and who joins under the age of 18 when they join.
• Working with staff, Trustees make sure Just for Kids Law is run properly, manages its money well, and that our services and everything we do is in line with our aims and values.
• We are committed to supporting Trustees with experience of our services who join our Board, through induction, training, and preparation before each quarterly Board meeting.

What can a Trustee who has experience with our services contribute to the Board?

• Trustees with experience of our services bring a unique perspective and often bring different skills and experiences which the Board and other trustees will benefit from.
• Trustees will have an understanding and an insight into some of the experiences and challenges children and young people face, and how JfKL can best serve young people.

Who does a Trustee report to?

• Anthony Landes, the Chair of our Board of Trustees (Anthony leads our Board)

How much time will it take up?

• A Board meeting once every three months, reading Board papers beforehand and a call with another Board member to go over the Board papers prior to the Board meeting. Activity is increased around Board meetings, and quieter in between these.
• Opportunity to participate in a quarterly (every 3 months) Subcommittee Meeting. Subcommittees involve a few members of the Board and staff who look at particular areas: Fundraising, HR and Finance & Risk. Participation in these to be discussed with the Chair.
• Annual away day with the Board and Senior Management Team to plan direction of our work for the year ahead.
• A meeting with all staff once a year and a meeting with Ambassadors once a year (a group of young people who advise on and influence our services and our work) 
• Attending other events like launches of new reports or events in parliament, as available, being an ambassador (representative) for the organisation.

How many meetings will I need to go to?

If you become a Trustee, there is an expectation that you will attend as many Board meetings through the year as possible, including relevant Sub - Committee meetings if you participate in any Sub-Committee(s) and will update the Chair if for any reason (e.g. illness) you’re unable to attend a meeting. Remote attendance is possible but only if essential. Our Chair has requested that all Trustees do their best to attend Board meetings in person, as this allows for better and more productive discussions.

How long would I be a Trustee?

• Trustees join on a 3-year term, at which point your role would come ot an end.

Will I be paid to be a Trustee?

• Like other Trustees, you will not be paid. However, we will reimburse / pay upfront for all your travel costs and refreshments are provided at all meetings. We will provide a reference setting out the skills demonstrated throughout each year.

What will Trustees need to do?

Working with our other Trustees, the Board will make sure:

• We achieve the aims of our charity, have a clear plan about what we want to do and is focused on achieving this.
• We do not spend money on activities that do not link to our objectives.
• Our charity is run well and enough money is available through fundraising to continue to deliver our services; we take care of and use well anything the charity owns.
• We monitor the performance of our Senior Management Team (the senior staff team).
• We are responsible for ensuring the charity operates in line with the rules of the Charity Commission.
• Our charity is managed to the highest possible standard.
• We understand and manage any risks, working closely with the Finance and Risk Subcommittee.
• We make full use of your specific skills, knowledge or experience to help the Trustees make good decisions.
• We do not do anything which would damage the reputation of Just for Kids Law.
• Sign off our annual report each year and check safeguarding practice is in line with legal requirements and best practice.

What support will I receive?

• We’ll provide you with an induction to the role of a Trustee, to the Board’s Sub-committees and to specific areas of focus based on individual discussion about your current skills and knowledge and what you’d most like to get out of the experience, e.g. finance and budgeting. This will be led by our Chair Anthony Landes.
• You can meet with our existing Trustees who joined as young people as part of your induction, to ask questions and learn from their experience, before they transition out of their roles.
• You’ll get a Buddy who is an existing Trustee - you can talk to before and after each Board meeting, discuss your experience and ideas and work through any questions you may have.
• You’ll be able to feed back on your induction and how your new role is going to our Director of Programmes & Participation, Chloe Grant, including any further ways we can support you in your new role. Chloe will update Anthony Landes and the Board of any ideas for how you can be further supported as a new Trustee.

What makes a good Trustee?

• Honest and trustworthy
• A commitment to equality and diversity
• Time to commit to Just for Kids Law, its current work and improvement and attend meetings in London
• A commitment to what Just for Kids Law’s aims, values, and what we stand for
• A commitment to the welfare of children and young people, and to the promotion and protection of their rights
• Being prepared to promote Just for Kids Law to people you and other staff know
• Being willing to represent Just for Kids Law at external events (including public meetings and fundraising events) and promote our work

What sort of skills, knowledge and experience will you need to have?

• You have accessed support from Just for Kids Law
• Being prepared to speak your mind and engage in collaborative discussion with the Board
• Being able to read and understand written information that may at first be unfamiliar, and being open to asking questions about it
• Willingness to contribute to specific projects as necessary and if this relates to your interests and skills/knowledge
• Good, independent judgement and being able to think about what we want to achieve and how we can do it
• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team
• Good time management skills
• The ability to respect confidential information