At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Board of Trustees to enhance adolescent mental health support.
- Company: Brent Centre, a charity dedicated to improving young people's mental health.
- Benefits: Unremunerated role with travel expenses covered and flexible time commitment.
- Other info: Join a passionate team committed to equality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable young people.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience and strong understanding of governance required.
The Brent Centre is a long‑established UK charity providing specialist psychoanalytic understanding, treatment of and research into Adolescent Mental Health. With a strong clinical heritage and a deep commitment to addressing social and economic inequality, the Centre supports young people experiencing complex and enduring mental health challenges.
We are now seeking a new Chair of the Board of Trustees to lead the organisation through its next phase of development, as the current Chair comes to the end of their term. This role is unremunerated, with travel expenses paid.
Time commitment: Approximately 0.5 a day per week (hybrid)
Location: Brent, North West London
About us: Founded in 1967 by a group of pioneering, internationally renowned psychoanalysts, the Brent Centre for Young People was established with a clear purpose: to transform mental health support for adolescents during the critical transition to adulthood, and to tackle the significant health inequalities that exclude many vulnerable young people from accessing the help they need. We achieve this by providing age-specific, timely and effective psychoanalytic psychotherapies and practical support to at-risk young people struggling with serious mental health issues like anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and disordered eating. We have developed a clinical model that puts adolescent needs and development at its core. Our unique approach maximises engagement and achieves deep-rooted and long-lasting change. With nearly six decades of experience, we have evidenced that this model works.
The role: The Chair will provide strategic leadership to the Board of Trustees, ensuring that the organisation is well governed, financially sustainable and delivering its mission with integrity and impact. Working closely with the Chief Executive, the Chair will help shape and steward the Centre’s long‑term vision, strengthen Board effectiveness, and support the organisation to respond confidently to a changing mental health landscape. This is a governance leadership role that also carries an important external dimension. The Chair will act as an ambassador for the Brent Centre, helping to raise its profile, build relationships and champion the value of psychoanalytic approaches to improving young people’s mental health.
About you: We are seeking an inspiring and committed individual with the time and capacity to engage fully in this role. The successful candidate will bring:
- Significant senior leadership experience in a business, charitable, healthcare or public sector setting
- Demonstrable Board‑level experience, with a strong understanding of governance and trustee responsibilities
- Financial acumen and experience overseeing organisational sustainability and risk
- Strategic insight and the ability to support and challenge executive leadership constructively
- Credibility and confidence to act as an ambassador and external advocate
- A strong commitment to safeguarding, equality, diversity, inclusion and wellbeing
Experience of the mental health sector, or familiarity with psychoanalytic approaches, would be welcome but is not essential. We value curiosity, sound judgement and strong alignment with the Centre’s mission and values.
How to Apply: To apply for the role, please upload your CV together with a supporting statement (of no more than 1000 words) onto the Prospectus website via the link below. Please ensure that you have included a telephone number, as well as any dates when you will not be available or might have difficulty with the recruitment timetable.
If you wish to apply using an alternative format, please contact Prospectus.
For guidance on formulating your supporting statement, please review our guide. If you would like to have an informal conversation about the role, please contact our retained partners.
At Prospectus we believe passionately that a truly inclusive workplace leads to increased social impact. We are committed to supporting our clients to build more inclusive teams. To understand how we are performing, we ask that you kindly complete the brief equal opportunities questionnaire when you submit your application via our website. Please be assured that your responses are kept confidential, separate from your candidate record, are not part of any application you make, and that the consultants never see individual responses to the questionnaire.
Recruitment Timetable:
- Deadline for applications: 21st June (midnight)
- Interviews with Prospectus: Online 29th & 30th June
- Interviews with Brent Centre for Young People, online 7th / 8th July (evening)
- Second stage Interviews with Brent Centre for Young People, in person: Monday 13th & Wednesday 15th July (evening)
Chair employer: Brent Centre for Young People
The Brent Centre is an exceptional employer dedicated to transforming adolescent mental health support, offering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that values diversity and social impact. As a Chair of the Board of Trustees, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the organisation while benefiting from a supportive environment that encourages professional growth and community engagement in the heart of Brent, North West London.
Contact Detail:
Brent Centre for Young People Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chair
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those connected to the Brent Centre. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding the Centre's mission and values inside out. Show us how your experience aligns with their goals, and don’t be shy about sharing your passion for adolescent mental health!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend or mentor to do mock interviews with you. This will help you articulate your thoughts clearly and boost your confidence when it’s time to shine.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who follow the process closely—it shows commitment!
We think you need these skills to ace Chair
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights the skills and experiences that align with the role of Chair. We want to see how your leadership experience and understanding of governance can shine through!
Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement:Your supporting statement is your chance to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Keep it concise, focused, and make sure to reflect on our mission and values in your narrative.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read and understand.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application via the Prospectus website! It’s the best way for us to receive your materials and ensures you’re considered for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Brent Centre for Young People
✨Know the Organisation Inside Out
Before your interview, take the time to thoroughly research the Brent Centre. Understand their mission, values, and the specific challenges they face in adolescent mental health. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As a potential Chair, it's crucial to highlight your senior leadership experience. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully led teams or organisations, particularly in governance or strategic roles. Be ready to discuss how you can apply this experience to support the Brent Centre's mission.
✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street, so come armed with insightful questions about the Centre’s future direction, challenges, and opportunities. This shows that you're not just interested in the role, but also in contributing to the organisation's growth and impact.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Inclusion
Given the Centre's focus on equality and diversity, be prepared to discuss your commitment to these values. Share any relevant experiences or initiatives you've been involved in that promote inclusivity, as this aligns closely with the Centre's ethos.
