Supported Housing Charity Trustee

What will you be doing?

EHSL is governed by a Board of Trustees responsible for the strategic direction and oversight of the organisation. The Board currently comprises five trustees and is seeking to expand its membership as part of the organisation’s ongoing governance development.

The Board works closely with the executive leadership team while maintaining clear independence and accountability in relation to governance, risk management and organisational performance.

The Board’s responsibilities include:

• Strategic oversight
• Financial stewardship
• Governance and compliance
• Safeguarding oversight
• Risk management
• Organisational sustainability
• Executive accountability

Trustees are supported by an executive leadership structure responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of the organisation.

Board meetings are generally held in Wokingham on a quarterly basis, with attendance also available remotely via Microsoft Teams.

EHSL’s Board currently comprises trustees with experience across housing, finance, governance and organisational leadership. As the organisation continues to grow following charitable registration, the Board is seeking to strengthen its overall capacity, diversity of experience and governance maturity.

The organisation is currently focused on continuing to develop:

• Board effectiveness and governance structures
• Trustee succession planning
• Strategic oversight and risk management
• Committee and reporting arrangements
• Long-term organisational resilience

New trustees will play an important role in helping to shape EHSL’s future governance arrangements and supporting constructive challenge, transparency, accountability and effective decision‑making.

The Board may establish committees or working groups to support governance, audit, risk and organisational development as the organisation continues to grow.

Current Recruitment Priorities

The Board is particularly interested in strengthening experience and expertise in the following areas:

• Legal and regulatory compliance
• Housing and supported housing governance
• HR and organisational development
• Safeguarding and health and social care
• Strategic organisational growth and change
• Lived experience.

Appointments are intended to support both Board succession planning and the continued development of EHSL’s governance arrangements as the organisation grows.

Trustees play a key role in ensuring that EHSL is well governed, financially sustainable and operating in accordance with its charitable objectives.

The role of trustee includes:

• Contributing to the strategic direction of the organisation
• Providing oversight and constructive challenge
• Supporting effective governance and decision‑making
• Monitoring organisational performance and risk
• Ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory obligations
• Acting in the best interests of the charity
• Supporting a positive and accountable governance culture

Trustees are expected to prepare for and attend Board meetings, contribute to discussions and support wider governance activities where appropriate.

This is a voluntary role, although reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

Previous trustee experience is not essential.

What are we looking for?

EHSL is seeking trustees who can bring strategic insight, professional expertise and independent judgement to the Board.

We are particularly interested in hearing from people with experience in:

• Legal services, particularly:
  • Company law
  • Housing law
  • Benefits law
• HR and organisational development
• Supported housing or social housing
• Health and social care provision
• Regulation, governance or compliance

We welcome applications from people with experience gained across the public, private, charitable or regulatory sectors.

In addition to professional experience, we are looking for people who can demonstrate strategic thinking, sound judgement, integrity and accountability, constructive challenge, collaborative working, and commitment to EHSL’s values and purpose.

What difference will you make?

Following our registration as a charity in 2024, EHSL is entering the next phase of its development. As the organisation continues to grow, strong governance, independent oversight and a broad range of perspectives will be essential to ensuring that EHSL remains sustainable, well governed and focused on delivering high‑quality services.

We are seeking trustees who can bring strategic thinking, sound judgement and professional expertise to support the organisation’s long‑term direction. We are particularly keen to broaden the diversity of our Board and welcome applications from people whose backgrounds and experiences are currently underrepresented within governance in the housing and care sectors.

Whether you are an experienced trustee or considering a non‑executive role for the first time, we welcome interest from people who share EHSL’s values and commitment to delivering effective and sustainable supported housing services.