Trustee (Digital background preferred)

Mission: “We help local adults with complex, progressive illnesses from diagnosis to the end of life through free, high quality, specialist palliative care, advice and guidance, and we support those close to them.”

Overall responsibilities:

• The trustees are legally responsible for the assets held by Katharine House Hospice on behalf of the charity’s beneficiaries.
• Board members are both charitable trustees and directors of a company limited by guarantee.
• Their activities are governed by both charity and company legislation.
• Trustees must act together as a corporate entity in the execution of their duties, as set out in the role description.

The role of the Board of Trustees:

• Setting the strategic direction and objectives of Katharine House Hospice in accordance with its Articles of association and its charitable objects.
• Setting the policy framework within which Katharine House Hospice should operate.
• Ensuring there is effective governance of Katharine House Hospice.
• Ensuring that Katharine House Hospice makes the most effective use of its resources.
• Ensuring that the Chairman and Treasurer are discharging their duties in a proper manner.
• Develop a sound knowledge of the hospice and its operations.
• Determine the strategic aims and objectives of Katharine House Hospice and define such policies as are necessary for the effective management of Katharine House Hospice within the values and ethos desired by the Board of Trustees.
• Monitor performance against the objectives set.
• Ensure policies are implemented as agreed by Trustees.
• Ensure there is effective delegation of responsibility through the Chief Executive to the Executive Team and Heads of Departments.
• Agree an Annual Budget.
• Prepare an annual report from the trustees for stakeholders.
• Ensure the charity conducts its business within all legal frameworks that may be in place from time to time, including (but not limited to) Charity Law, Company Law, Acts governing the provision of care, Employment Law, and Health and Safety legislation.

Personal contribution:

• Be an active member of the Board of Trustees and any committees to which you are assigned.
• Contribute to the decision-making process, respecting the views of fellow trustees and presenting personal views in a positive and constructive manner.
• Adhere to the decisions agreed by the Board of Trustees.
• Contribute specific skills, interests and contacts to promote the work of Katharine House Hospice.
• Take part in training sessions provided for the benefit of trustees and/or the Hospice.
• Participate in such Away Days as may be arranged from time to time.
• Fulfil such other duties and assignments as may be required from time to time by the trustee body.

Committee responsibilities:

• Involvement in a committee carries the expectation that the trustee will become more familiar with those areas of operation monitored by the committee.
• Trustees are entitled to meet with managers on the committee to become familiar with the work of the managers’ departments.
• Trustees will be free to contact relevant managers on the committee to seek information to help the trustee to make informed decisions.
• Where trustees are asked to carry out governance work such as reviews or inspections they will undertake such activity to the best of their ability – liaising with managers and reporting to the committee as needed.
• Trustees on committees may be asked to assist with operational aspects of running of the organisation at the request of managers – in particular to participate in recruitment of key staff or in grievances or disciplinary hearings or to review the handling of investigations or complaints.
• In this role trustees are expected to act independently of management – providing support and guidance or raising concerns.

Requirements:

• All trustees must have a valid DBS clearance as a requirement of the hospice’s registration with the Care Quality Commission.
• All trustees must sign a declaration to state they are eligible to act as trustees and company directors.
• All trustees must retain information about the operation of the hospice in strict confidence.
• All trustees must register any conflicts of interest they may have.

Term of office:

• Initially until the next Annual General Meeting, then for six years upon election and then two further periods of two years before the Trustee must stand-down for eleven months.

Time commitment:

• Trustees are expected to provide sufficient time for induction, including meeting senior managers and visiting aspects of the charity’s operations.
• Trustees are expected to attend at least 60% of the meetings of the Board of Trustees and any of its committees to which s/he is assigned.
• Trustees are expected to attend ad hoc Away Days when possible.

Interviews are planned for w/c 8th June 2026.

Company Overview: Katharine House Hospice’s aim is to enable people with incurable illnesses to live life as fully as possible and make the most of the time that they have, as well as supporting their loved ones. Our care is free and provided where and when it is needed most – in the community, at home, or at our hospice.