Appointment of Trustee & Chair of the Quality Committee

Camphill Village Trust

Welcome

Welcome to Camphill Village Trust.

We are delighted to be advertising for this unique opportunity to become a Trustee and Chair of our Quality Committee.

As a national charity and not-for-profit organisation, Camphill Village Trust (CVT) has for almost 70 years been providing a range of predominately land based “green” care, support and accommodation for people with learning disabilities, autism, mental health challenges and complex needs.

Our aim is to empower people with disabilities to lead more connected, fulfilled lives with meaning and purpose. We call this ‘a life of opportunity’ and we believe that, with the right support, it is possible for everyone.

There are nine Trust communities across England, providing homes and social care and support for over 400 adults with a learning disability. The Trust operates from sites situated in North Yorkshire, Teesside, Hertfordshire, Stourbridge, and Gloucestershire.

Each of our communities is different; from Botton Village in the heart of the North York Moors covering over 1,000 acres of farm and countryside, homes, a shop, post office, theatre, church and creamery; to our Stourbridge and St Albans communities that are more urban based with town centre flats, bungalows and houses.

Across our sites there are many opportunities for people with learning and other disabilities to learn and develop skills, and to contribute to wider society, adding meaning and purpose to their lives: we offer activities from social farming and gardening and arts and crafts, to opportunities in retail, catering and estates management. Whether beneficiaries are living in a Trust community or accessing our activities for a Life of opportunity via day placements, they are empowered to be at the centre of their own support and outcomes. The Trust has a strong culture of co-production and the Quality Committee play a key role in ensuring that co-production is embedded at all levels of the Charity.

We are looking for an experienced and dedicated Trustee, with an evidenced track record in Adult Social Care, to join us to take responsibility chairing our Quality Committee. We are seeking individuals with significant relevant Social Care Support leadership experience with the ability to provide assurance on quality, safeguarding and compliance, drawing on a sound knowledge and understanding of Local Authority and regulatory standards. We are also keen to ensure that our Chair of Quality is passionate about supporting us in continuing our culture of co-production.

You will have experience of working within complex environments, enabling you to play an active role in leading the Trust during a significant period of change. An exceptional communicator, you will be able to relate to people at all levels inside and out of the organisation, inspiring confidence in others on issues of significant strategic importance.

The following provides information and detail about the role, our locations and the type of person we’re looking for. If this sounds exciting to you and you have the passion, experience and skills to help us achieve our ambitious vision, we’d love to hear from you.

We look forward to meeting you!

Yours sincerely,

Michael Nutt
Chair of Trustees

About us

A copy of our annual report with further information about our communities, initiatives, quality impact and financial review can be found here.

For further information about Camphill Village Trust, our services and communities, please go to the website.

Camphill Village Trust values

Building connections

Camphill Village Trust offers a sense of belonging and community. That means we create opportunities for friendship, connecting people to build a community so they can feel valued rather than isolated.

Enabling potential

Camphill Village Trust enables people to develop, grow and be heard. This means we build confidence and the voice of the people we support informs what we do, at every level.

Promoting purpose

Camphill Village Trust promotes meaningful, healthy living. This means the people we support live an active life and can contribute to the wider community on an equal basis.

Environmental respect

Camphill Village Trust values and cares for the environment. This means that we see a connection between the environment we live in and our well-being and promote living sustainably, in harmony with the natural world.

Social impact

Camphill Village Trust believes our people and resources should make a positive contribution to society.

This means we support and develop initiatives to challenge issues faced by vulnerable members of society, which enable the people we support to achieve greater integration into the wider community.

The role

Trustee & Chair of the Quality Committee (AQ1791)

Apply now

JOB DESCRIPTION

Accountable to: Chair of the Board

Purpose of the role

Trustees are responsible for ensuring the management control, accountability and good conduct of the Trust and are required to:

  • Ensure effective leadership of the Trust and that it adheres to its purpose and mission.
  • Ensure that it operates in accordance with its organisational culture and values.
  • In partnership with the CEO and Directors, develop the Trust’s strategy and oversee its delivery.
  • Ensure the organisation is well led, efficient and effective.
  • Provide scrutiny, challenge, and support to the Executive Team.
  • Be open and transparent in accounting to all stakeholders of the Trust.
  • Add value by contributing advice and assistance according to individual expertise whilst respecting the difference in role between Trustee and operational leadership accountability.
  • Act as an advocate and ambassador for the Trust.

The Chair of the Quality and People Committee is responsible for:

  • Leading the Committee and ensuring that its meetings have agendas which address the full scope of the Quality and People Committee’s Terms of Reference agreed by the Board of Trustees: receiving assurance regarding matters of quality, safety, safeguarding and performance, and having oversight on the positive impact and outcomes for the People of the Trust.
  • Ensuring effective governance of the Committee, including efficient conduct of meetings and that all Committee Members are able to express their views.
  • Reporting on any Committee decisions or recommendations to the Board and ensuring they are kept informed of the work of the Committee.
  • Establishing a constructive relationship with, and supporting the Chair of Trustees and Chief Executive, and raising any concerns with them in a timely and appropriate manner.

Core duties:

  • To have a good understanding of the objectives and priorities of the Trust and of the role of the Quality and People Committee.
  • To promote and oversee the delivery of high-quality services to residents and service users, ensuring organisational learning where the Trust has fallen short of this standard.
  • To ensure that systems of quality and safety in the Trust are effective and robust, and that the Committee can provide assurance to the Board on the management of the risks faced by the organization within the Committee’s scope, and ensuring that appropriate mitigations are in place to provide effective management of such risks.
  • To approve Quality and people Committee meeting agendas and ensure all required business is brought to the committee in order for its duties and responsibilities to be discharged, including compliance with legal, regulatory (including Care Quality Commission) and contractual requirements across the Trust.
  • To chair the Committee and facilitate all discussions and decision-making processes based on the principles of inclusion and meaningful contribution. This will include understanding and assessing complex information in order to make those decisions and encouraging Committee Members to participate and discuss different perspectives.
  • To play an active role in annual general meetings and be available to answer any questions by the members regarding the Committee’s activities.
  • To provide challenge in a constructive manner, and to support and provide advice to the work of the Board and Committee.
  • To apply skills and knowledge from a relevant professional background to the discussions and decisions the Committee and Board make.
  • To apply perspective to situations and have a balanced and objective view in order to consider the needs of different stakeholders in coming to conclusions.
  • To contribute to and share responsibility for the decisions of the Board and the Committee, including its duty to exercise reasonable care, skill and independent judgement.
  • To maintain the highest standards of governance and conduct and demonstrate relevant knowledge of organizational governance and hold clarity on the role of Trustee oversight rather than operational delivery.
  • To maintain communication as necessary with key individuals in the company’s governance and foster good working relationships and a shared understanding of matters of quality & compliance with Board and Committee Members, and the CEO/Director Team.
  • To prepare for and attend Committee meetings, away days, training/development events, the annual general meeting and other internal and external events as required.
  • To participate in reviews of individual, Committee and Board performance and measures designed to develop capacity and effectiveness.

Please note this job description is not exhaustive and reflects the type and range of tasks, responsibilities and outcomes associated with the role.

In addition to the above you are expected to:

  • Undertake other duties from time to time as required by the Chair of the Board.
  • Maintain confidentiality in accordance with our data protection policy and procedure.

Equality & Diversity

Promoting equality, celebrating diversity and ensuring inclusion is fundamental to us. We are committed to equality of opportunity for all, and applications are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

To reflect our ambition and commitment to be more representative in our governance structures, we particularly encourage and welcome applications from young people, people with a disability, people from minority ethnic backgrounds and people from the LGBTQ+ community.

 

PERSON SPECIFICATION

These criteria will be considered as part of the shortlisting stage and interviews.

Skills – we consider the following to be essential

  • Demonstrable experience of leading on significant service improvements within the Adult Social Care sector.
  • Governance and/or management skills at Board level, ideally of a large and complex customer-facing organisation.
  • Clear, positive leadership and chairing skills: know how to prepare and manage an agenda, run a successful meeting, create an open and supportive environment for Committee members, ensure Committee decisions are clear and made as a result of good information from Executives, management and advisors.
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication and listening skills: Be able to relate to people at all levels in the organisation, possess tact and diplomacy and the ability to form positive working relationships and partnerships with people both inside and outside the Trust. Able to question, challenge and negotiate appropriately and effectively.
  • Ability to apply perspective to situations and have a balanced and objective view in order to consider the needs of different parties in coming to conclusions.
  • Demonstrate clear analytical intellect; assimilate and make sense of complex data, evaluate options and understand different perspectives.
  • Possess confidence to challenge, ask questions appropriately and keep to an appropriate level of detail.
  • Be experienced in change management and to support the Charity to positively navigate challenging external drivers for change in addition to recognising that the Trust is undergoing significant internal changes post covid.

Knowledge and understanding – we consider the following to be essential

  • A strong track record of achievement in his or her field – in the public, private or voluntary sectors.
  • Excellent knowledge and understanding of quality audit, inspection and compliance frameworks gained within a regulated social care environment.
  • Excellent knowledge of safeguarding frameworks.
  • An experienced change agent.
  • An understanding of the Trust’s values and commitment to the support of people with Learning disability, autism and other health conditions.

Additional information

  • All reasonable expenses will be paid.
  • You will have full access to training and development.
  • You will be required to contribute roughly 1 day per month: your time spent will include Board and Committee Meetings, visits to communities, CEO and Chair discussions, regular debate with the Finance lead and group training etc.
    • The Board of Trustees meet at least four times a year, and these performance meetings are supported by strategic planning days, training events, community visits and stakeholder engagement opportunities. There are four Quality Committee meetings a year and the Annual General Meeting.
    • Meetings are a hybrid of virtual and in-face. As a national Charity we balance cost against outcomes and the importance of human connection. In person meetings are currently held in London or occasionally one of the Trusts Communities.
    • Confirmed Board Meetings for 2023: 16th May, (Board training in June, dates tbc), 8th Aug and 21st Nov. Usually 3 hours in duration, from 10.30am.
    • Quality & People Committee Meeting Dates for 2023/2024: May / June TBC, 20th July, 24th Oct, 13th Feb 2024, 30th April 2024. Meetings are currently being held virtually (though in future some may be held in-person) and are usually 2.5 hours in duration from 10-12.30pm or 10.30-1pm.

How to apply

Anderson Quigley is acting as an advisor to the Camphill Village Trust. An executive search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to the public advertisement.

The closing date for applications is 11 April 2023.

Applications should consist of:

  • A full CV.
  • A covering letter (maximum of 2 pages) setting out your interest in the role and details of how you match the knowledge and qualifications criteria of the person specification.
  • Please include the names and addresses of two referees. Referees will not be approached until the final stages and not without prior permission from candidates.

Should you wish to discuss the role in strict confidence, please contact Helene Usherwood on +44(0)7719 322 669 or helene@andersonquigley.com, or Elyse Turner-Pearce on +44 (0)7808 648 559 or elyse@andersonquigley.com