Leading the Board:

• Sets the tone for the Board, adopting a culture of integrity, transparency, accountability and good governance. Ensures the Board remains focused on long-term goals aligned to the organisation’s mission and values, and the organisation is well placed to expand when the opportunities are right and navigate the challenges confidently.
• Must ensure the meetings are productive and all members contribute effectively, and decisions are made in a timely and efficient manner. Ability to draw the best from the expertise round the table.
• Provides strategic oversight, working closely with senior management, to deliver the agreed organisation’s Strategic Plan.
• Work with the Board Secretary to plan the Board meetings effectively.
• Relationship with the Senior Management Team / Director
• This is crucial for the prosperity of the organisation. The Chair acts as a mentor/adviser/line manager and manages the performance of the Director. The Chair has the responsibility to embed mutual respect, trust and open communication.

External Representation:

• This involves communicating the organisation’s vision and listening/addressing the concerns and challenges. The Chair must acquire adequate knowledge in relation to Home-Start operational work and strategic objectives to be able to promote and speak on behalf of the organisation when opportunities arise.

Risk & Financial Management:

• Responsibility in overseeing the organisation’s risk management and financial framework. Work closely with the Senior Management Team to ensure that mitigation strategies are in place and monitoring the effectiveness of the strategies. Work with the Board and management to ensure the organisation is prepared to face both anticipated and unforeseen challenges.

Ethical Standards:

• Responsibility to ensure highest ethical standards, a culture of ethical behaviour and ethical decision making and compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. The Chair must lead by example.
• Performance Management:
• The Chair manages the performance of the Director and the individual Trustees to ensure they are fulfilling their responsibilities delivering the organisation’s objectives effectively. The Chair is also responsible for overseeing the work of sub-committees (eg Finance & Audit and Performance Through People).

Succession Planning

• To ensure continuity and stability and help the organisation maintain its momentum and achieve its objectives. The Chair is responsible to identify and develop potential leadership talents within the organisation and plan for eventual transition of key roles, including the Director and Board members.

Conflict Resolution:

• The Chair can be called to mediate conflicts within the Board or between the Board and management. The Chair must have strong interpersonal skills, the ability to remain impartial and a focus on finding solutions that are in the best interest of the organisation.

Would you like to make a difference?

Children First is Scotland’s National Children’s Charity.

Our vision is that all children in Scotland grow up safe and well in strong, resilient families and communities and we work tirelessly to make sure that happens. By getting alongside children and their families to offer practical, emotional and financial help we uphold the rights of children to be raised in their own families. The children we support have to overcome many challenges; poverty, isolation, trauma, violence and abuse but we know that with the right support they can recover and live safe and happy lives. We are proud of the way we do things at Children First, we put respect, compassion and relationships at the heart of everything we do and we believe that with the best people delivering the best quality support, amazing transformation can take place.

Our Board of Trustees is committed to this vision and values, and Trustees bring their wide range of skills, knowledge, expertise, objectivity, insight and strategic thought to the table. They involve themselves in our work and steer our organisation forward, working closely with the Chief Executive and executive leadership team of the Charity.

We are currently looking for a new Board Trustee with a legal background who will take on the role of Law Agent as required by Children First’s Royal Charter. This is an exciting and rewarding opportunity for an enthusiastic and dynamic individual. You will have the opportunity to use and develop your legal skills and experience to support children and families across Scotland.

The Position

You will join the Board of around 10 other trustees and will be expected to attend and participate up to 5 Board meetings a year as well as an annual Strategy Day. You will also be expected to sit on one subcommittee of the Board and attend meetings of that subcommittee 3 to 4 times a year. The Law Agent will be appointed for an initial term of 3 years, and is eligible to seek nomination to serve a further 3 year term.

Board Trustees are asked to contribute actively to the Board by providing strategic guidance, setting objectives and goals, evaluating performance and providing challenge and support. You will also be an ambassador for the Charity and are expected to respect, promote and protect the culture and values of the Charity.

All Trustees are expected to have a good understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of the position of a Trustee on a Board.

As Law Agent you will ensure that the Charity complies with it’s governing document and wider legal responsibilities and you will use your legal experience and knowledge to help inform decision making and to support strategic planning at Board meetings. You will be able to apply legal principles to managing risk and ensuring that the policies and processes of the Charity are in line with best legal practice. You will have the ability to identify when the Charity should seek external legal advice.

The formal appointment to the Board will become effective from the date of the Charity’s AGM in September 2025. There will, however, be opportunity to attend Board meetings as an observer before then. New Trustees will participate in an induction process and will be supported in spending time getting to know the organisation.

The Candidate

We are looking for a committed and enthusiastic qualified lawyer to join our Board. Whilst it would be beneficial, you do not need to have specifically worked in the area of child or family law but a keen interest and passion in protecting children’s rights is essential, as well as a commitment to the values of Children First. An understanding of good governance is also required.

You must be able to demonstrate sound, independent judgement and have an ability to be open minded and work collectively. You must have an ability to challenge constructively where required and be able to critically assess and analyse complex issues. Good listening and communication skills are essential.

Children First is committed to being an inclusive and diverse organisation that is representative of the families and communities it supports. The Board supports this commitment and seeks to enhance its diversity from the perspective of ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender and disability. We believe that the more diverse and inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

We welcome and encourage applications from all interested parties who believe they can help make a difference.

The position is voluntary, however reasonable travel expenses are reimbursed.

Join Our Board and Make a Difference at Home-Start East Lothian.

Are you passionate about empowering families with young children, supporting charitable causes, and making a positive impact in our community? HSEL is seeking individuals to join our Board of Trustees and play a pivotal role in driving our mission forward.

About Home-Start East Lothian:

Our Legacy:

Home-Start East Lothian is an established local charity, we will be celebrating our 25th anniversary this August. We train and support volunteers who are committed to promoting the welfare of families with at least one child under five years of age.

We aim to support families that are referred to us by statutory or voluntary organisations for example by social workers, health visitors or women’s aid or self-referrals when mums and sometimes dads, are struggling with a number of issues. As well as volunteers we have 3 family support workers, which allows us to respond quickly to the ever-increasing demand.

Our Aim:

We help families by providing a volunteer to establish a supportive, non-judgemental relationship with a family offering regular friendship and support. We recruit, train and support volunteers to work with families. If families are facing more severe and complex issues we match them with one of our trained family support workers.

Our support helps to:

• Reduce family isolation and increase social support networks
• Strengthen parent-child relationships
• Improve parents’ emotional health and well-being
• Develop and improve parenting skills
• Improve the home environment
• Improve children’s health, well-being and development
• Increase access to health, education and community service

Why Join HSEL:

Make a Difference: Your involvement with HSEL directly contributes to positive change in our community.

Networking Opportunities: Connect with a community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about children’s welfare and community engagement.

Shape the Future: Use your expertise to guide HSEL’s strategic direction and help us continue to evolve.

What to Expect as a Trustee:

Board Meetings: Our Board meets are generally every six weeks in the evening, with the option of joining virtually.

Sub-committee meetings: we ask, if possible, that each trustee join either the Personnel & Development or the Finance & Fundraising sub-committee, they meet online two weeks before each board meeting.

Training: is available, including induction training through Home-Start UK.

Event Participation: Depending on your availability and interests, you may choose to participate in HSEL events, engaging with the community and supporting our initiatives.

Join our team

Are you passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of families affected by imprisonment? At Families Outside, Scotland's only national charity dedicated solely to supporting these families, we're looking for a dynamic, compassionate, and skilled leader to join us as a Regional Manager.

About the Role

This vital position is your chance to lead a team of dedicated Regional Family Support Coordinators, providing professional support to families and professionals across Scotland. You'll collaborate closely with internal teams and external partners to shape, develop, and deliver effective support services tailored to the needs of families. From managing a regional team to influencing local and national strategies, this role is as rewarding as it is impactful.

Role Summary

Hours: 35 hours per week

Contract: Two years fixed term (subject to renewal where funds allow)

Starting salary: £37,827 - £41,039

Probation period: 6 months

Location: Glasgow/Home-Based

Staff Benefits

• 25 flexible leave days plus 10 public holidays
• 4% matched contribution workplace pension scheme
• Hybrid & flexible working
• Employee Assistance Programme (Health Assured)
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Laptop and mobile phone for all staff

What You’ll Do

• Lead, inspire, and develop a team of Family Support Coordinators across multiple local authorities.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with community justice and local authorities, ensuring the voices of families are heard.
• Develop and improve family support services to meet regional needs, monitoring effectiveness and driving positive change.
• Represent our values of integrity, expertise, tenacity, and compassion in everything you do.

What We’re Looking For

• A skilled leader with a proven track record in team management and service development.
• Someone who values collaboration and can foster strong relationships with stakeholders.
• A proactive leader with a vision for driving positive change, focused on equipping families with the tools and support they need while ensuring their voices are heard and valued.
• A leader who is committed to trauma-informed and rights-focused practices, creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for families, adults, children, and young people.

Join a values driven organisation where your work makes a lasting impact on families across Scotland. At Families Outside, you'll find a supportive, collaborative environment that values innovation and compassion. We empower our team to lead with purpose, offering opportunities for personal and professional growth while contributing to meaningful life changing work.

We welcome applications from individuals who are passionate about making a difference. If you have the skills, dedication, and drive to support families and create lasting impact, we want to hear from you. We value diverse perspectives and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Together we can shape a brighter future for families affected by imprisonment.