Overview
The primary responsibility of Trustees is to provide the Hospice with strategic leadership and set the governance framework to ensure it is well managed and administered, and resources are used appropriately.
As part of the Board the Trustees ensure delivery of the aims and objectives of St Gemma’s Hospice and to provide strategic leadership to determine its future direction.
Client Details
St Gemma’s Hospice was founded in 1978 by the Sisters of the Cross and Passion, established to meet the needs of the local community and improve the quality of life for people with terminal illnesses. Since then over 50,000 people have been cared for either in the Hospice itself or in their own homes. Each of them has been treated as an individual and given the best clinical, emotional and spiritual support.
St Gemma’s is for people who have life threatening illnesses with difficult symptoms to manage and for end-of-life care. Care is based on a simple idea – that the person is more than the illness. Each of us – sick or well – has unique physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs. St Gemma’s tries to respond to these needs in ways which place the highest value on respect, choice and empowerment.
The Hospice is open to all adults who have active, progressive and advanced disease, where the patient has unresolved needs that exceed the expertise of the referring team. This includes patients with both malignant disease (cancer) and non-malignant diseases, for example heart disease, lung disease and neurological diseases.
Our services are provided by a multi-disciplinary team including doctors, nurses and healthcare assistants, therapists, social workers, spiritual care providers and bereavement workers, along with a wide range of support services including cleaning, laundry and catering.
Description
The Role of Trustee
- To provide strategic leadership to St Gemma’s Hospice in accordance with the Hospice Vision and Purpose, Values and Behaviours Framework
- To ensure that St Gemma’s complies with the Governing Document, charity law, company law and all other relevant legislation or regulations
- To ensure that St Gemma’s pursues the objects set out in its Governing Document
- To ensure that St Gemma’s applies its assets and resources exclusively in line with the Governing Document
- To serve as a director of the company St Gemma’s Hospice. Trustees are both directors and Trustees of St Gemma’s Hospice and must act within the provisions set out in the Governing Document.
- To work in partnership with others to form a clear vision and strategic plan for St Gemma’s and to focus on achieving those aims
- To support the Hospice Leadership Team in an area to be agreed by acting as link member for that area
- To act as an ambassador for the Hospice, representing and promoting the Hospice and its activities
- To uphold the reputation of the Hospice.
Trustee Responsibilities
- To carry out the role of the Trustee by contributing actively to the Board to enable it to fulfil its responsibilities as set out in its Governing Document
- To safeguard the reputation and ethos of St Gemma’s by ensuring that all activities are conducted with probity and propriety
- To ensure the financial stability and effective and efficient administration of St Gemma’s
- To ensure protection and conscientious management of the property and assets of St Gemma’s and to ensure proper investment of its funds
- To ensure proper standards of clinical quality and safety
- To act in the interests of all of those who use, work for, volunteer for, donate to or who are otherwise interested in St Gemma’s rather than any local or sectional interest
- To act collectively with the other Trustees, not as an individual, and to honour the collective responsibility for decisions properly taken
- To disclose any pecuniary or non-pecuniary interest in a timely manner
- To actively contribute to the annual review of Board performance
- To approve the annual appraisal of the Chief Executive
- To ensure the establishment of proper procedures for the recruitment, support, appraisal and remuneration of employees and that disciplinary and complaints procedures are in place
- To ensure that the Charity Governance Code.
Commitment
Trustees are appointed for a three year term of office, with a maximum of two additional terms, as described in the Governing Document. Within each term of office Trustees are expected to:
- attend meetings of the Board (to be at least four per year, plus development and strategic planning meetings) and actively contribute their expertise
- contribute expertise to at least one Board Committee and offer advice to the other Trustees and employees drawn from personal experience and specific skills and contacts
- assist the Board and the Hospice Leadership Team in promoting the organisation’s goals and values
- visit St Gemma’s on a regular basis to become familiar with its work
- take part in induction, training and appraisal processes as appropriate
- make regular declarations of fitness to serve as a Trustee
- act as an ambassador for the Hospice including supporting and attending St Gemma’s fundraising and other functions and fostering support for St Gemma’s from the Leeds community.
Profile
Knowledge and Experience
We are specifically seeking a person with a breadth and depth of HR experience operating at a senior level. The person we seek would ideally be currently employed or recently retired, be a HR professional and have current knowledge of all aspects of HR governance. Charity sector experience would be ideal but is not essential.
Working with the Board and the Corporate Governance Committee initially, you will be able to maintain an oversight on the charity’s HR and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) activities at a strategic level. You will be able to offer well-informed views, constructive challenge and a commitment to best practice in relation to HR matters and their application in the charity sector. You will also support the incoming Chief People Officer in the formation of a People and Culture Committee.
This Trustee position requires:
- Experience of providing strategic direction to an organisation
- An understanding of governance and how Boards can best add value
- Experience of providing a strategic overview of HR plans and their impact on strategic direction
- Demonstrable experience of building and sustaining relationships and partnership working
- An understanding of the communities we serve
- An awareness of key issues in palliative care, adult social care, healthcare and the voluntary sector
Skills and Personal Attributes
- Understanding of, and intention to meet, the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of a trustee
- Capacity to devote sufficient time and effort to the role of Trustee
- Capability to work constructively and effectively as a team member
- Talent to be creative and innovative
- Outstanding interpersonal, communication and influencing skills
- Supporter and promoter of equality, diversity and inclusion
Job Offer
The role of Trustee is voluntary and Trustees will not receive any remuneration for their services on the Board.
