Charity Law & Governance Support Adviser - Volunteer in Slough

Provide ongoing guidance on charity law, governance, and regulatory compliance, helping trustees keep the organisation legally robust and well-governed. This is an advisory role only, with no decision-making or trustee responsibilities.

What difference will you make?

• Strengthen Legal and Governance Foundations: The Adviser ensures the charity operates in line with the Charities Act, Charity Commission expectations, and wider legal frameworks. This reduces the risk of non-compliance, errors in documentation, or governance gaps that can undermine credibility or cause regulatory issues.
• Support Trustees to Make Informed Decisions: By translating legal and regulatory information into clear, practical guidance, the Adviser helps trustees understand their duties, identify risks earlier, and make confident, well-governed decisions.
• Improve the Quality of Policies, Processes, and Documentation: The Adviser contributes expert insight when reviewing or shaping governance policies, contracts or agreements, safeguarding and data protection frameworks, risk registers, and operational documentation.
• Reduce Reliance on External Legal Services: By offering informed internal guidance, the Adviser helps the charity avoid unnecessary legal costs, identify when external solicitors are required, and prepare documents and briefs so external advice is more efficient and cost-effective.
• Enhance Credibility with Funders, Partners, and Regulators: Having a dedicated adviser role signals that the charity takes governance seriously, invests in risk management, and has access to specialist expertise.
• Build Internal Capacity and Knowledge: Through advice, signposting, and informal training, the Adviser helps the trustees and volunteers develop their own understanding of governance best practice, legal obligations, and compliance systems.
• Provide an Independent Perspective: Because the role is advisory and not a trustee position, the Adviser can offer objective views, constructive challenge, and early warning on governance risks. This supports good decision-making and helps trustees avoid blind spots.

What are we looking for?

• Essential:

• Strong understanding of charity governance, the Charities Act 2011, and Charity Commission guidance.
• Experience in charity administration, governance, compliance, non-profit legal work, or a related field.
• Ability to interpret legal or regulatory information and explain it clearly to trustees.
• High level of integrity, discretion, and independence.
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative working style.

• Professional legal qualification (solicitor, barrister, or equivalent), OR experience in charity law practice. (Not required — the role is open to non-qualified but knowledgeable individuals.)
• Experience working with CIOs or other charitable structures.
• Experience drafting or reviewing policies, agreements, or governance documents.
• Knowledge of data protection, safeguarding, or risk management in the charity sector.

What will you be doing?

• Provide informed guidance on charity law and governance matters relevant to the organisation’s work and structure (e.g., CIO requirements, trustee duties, reporting obligations).
• Support the trustees with the review and development of constitutional documents, governance policies, and procedures.
• Assist with interpreting and implementing Charity Commission guidance and updates.
• Review or advise on agreements, policies, and operational documents from a governance and compliance perspective (noting that legal drafting may require an external solicitor where appropriate).
• Advise on risk management, conflicts of interest, and good governance practices.
• Support the development and refinement of systems for compliance, record-keeping, and reporting.
• Help build trustees’ understanding of legal and governance issues through informal advice, training, or signposting resources.
• Act as a point of contact for legal/governance queries from trustees or key volunteers.