Chair of Trustees in Portsmouth

Who are Fair Ways and what do we stand for? Fair Ways is a leading children’s services charity based in the Solent, delivering Fostering, Education, Residential and Family services and cares for over 400 children, families, young people and vulnerable adults each year. Fair Ways is a great place to work. We are a team. We care about each other and are all committed to making a change to the lives of those we care for. We will not apologise for calling our staff great, the best, or world-class. Our staff are at the core of our organisation and we celebrate them by shouting it from the rooftops!

Where and when do we need you? We are currently looking for a Chair of Trustees to join us at Fair Ways. As the Chair of Trustees, you will share in our passion to improve the lives of children and young people. You will provide leadership to the Board, ensuring that Fair Ways is well governed and puts child protection and health & safety front and centre of its agenda. You will be strategically focused and committed in supporting Fair Ways in delivering against its charitable objectives.

As the Chair of Trustees for Fair Ways Foundation, you will be responsible for:

• Strategic Leadership - Leading the Board in setting and overseeing the organisation’s vision, mission and strategic direction. Ensuring alignment between strategy, business plans and organisational performance. Promoting long-term sustainability and impact ensuring Fair Ways acts in the best interest of its people, promoting diversity and inclusion for all.
• Governance and Compliance - Ensuring that the organisation operates in accordance with its governing documents and relevant legal and regulatory requirements, including those of the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Overseeing financial stewardship, ensuring appropriate scrutiny of budgets, audit and financial reporting. Ensuring effective systems of risk management, health & safety, child & employee wellbeing and internal controls are in place and regularly reviewed and maintaining oversight of safeguarding as a core organisational priority.
• Board Leadership and Effectiveness - Chairing Board meetings effectively, enabling balanced participation, constructive challenge and clear decision-making. Ensuring the Board operates within its agreed governance framework and delegated authorities. Leading the ongoing development of the Board, including Trustee recruitment and succession planning, Induction and development of Trustees, regular evaluation of Board effectiveness and appraisal of the CEO and through them the Executive. Promoting a Board culture that reflects the organisation’s values and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Chief Executive Support and Oversight - Developing and maintaining a strong, open and constructive relationship with the Chief Executive. Providing support, guidance and appropriate challenge. Leading the Chief Executive’s appraisal and performance review process. Ensuring clarity of roles between governance and executive & operational management, maintaining appropriate boundaries.
• External Representation - Acting as an ambassador for Fair Ways as appropriate, supporting stakeholder engagement and organisational reputation.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Ensuring that Board decisions are implemented and appropriately monitored.
• Working with the Chief Executive and Company Secretary to set Board agendas and annual cycles of business.
• Ensuring Trustees receive timely, relevant and high-quality information to support decision-making.
• Facilitating open communication and effective working relationships across the Board and executive.

Required Experience:

• The Chair of Trustees must demonstrate significant experience of serving as a Board member, including at least one role as Chair of Trustees or as a Board member operating at executive or equivalent senior governance level.
• Board experience at a senior level within the charitable, statutory or commercial sectors.
• Demonstrable experience of setting and delivery of strategies at board level.
• Experience of applying good governance to Charity or commercial Boards.
• Ability to proactively engage with all stakeholders both internal and external at a senior level ensuring professional boundaries relationships.

Successful candidates will be required to provide an enhanced Disclosure (DBS). This disclosure cost will be met by Fair Ways.

Your commitment: This role is offered as a voluntary position (reasonable expenses reimbursed), with a commitment of approximately 30–40 days per year, including:

• 4 Board meetings per year (full day).
• Preparation and review of Board papers.
• Regular meetings with the Chief Executive (typically fortnightly).
• Committee involvement as required.
• Attendance at key organisational events and stakeholder engagement.

Become a part of our community – We can’t wait to meet you! If you're passionate about making a difference and are ready to embark on an incredible journey, apply today and be a part of something amazing at Fair Ways. Join our team and help shape brighter futures!