Trustee (Safeguarding & Young People Lead)

Salary: This is a voluntary role

Location: Remote with very occasional (1-2 times a year) travel to London (expenses reimbursed)

Commitment: Approximately 8-10 board meetings per year, plus additional input as required.

Reporting to: Chair of Trustees

About us

The Ben Kinsella Trust is one of the UK’s leading anti-knife crime charities. We were set up following the tragic murder of 16-year-old Ben Kinsella in 2008, and everything we do is guided by his legacy. Our mission is to prevent knife crime by educating and campaigning: we help young people to stay safe.

Through immersive workshops in our Choices and Consequences Exhibitions and free online resources, we have reached over 50,000 young people. Our work challenges myths about knife crime, strengthens peer influence, and sparks meaningful conversations. As we grow, we remain committed to honouring Ben’s life by making a real, lasting difference to young people across the UK.

We’re a small team of 10, growing shortly to 14, working across Programmes, Fundraising and Communications, Finance and Operations and Leadership.

Trustee – Safeguarding & Young People

What you’ll be doing

As the Trustee leading on Safeguarding & Young People, your expertise will guide the Ben Kinsella Trust in maintaining the highest standards of education, youth work and safeguarding practice. Working closely with the Senior Leadership Team, the Trustee will provide strategic oversight, guidance and appropriate challenge on education, youth work and safeguarding and child protection matters across the organisation.

This role will act as the Board’s safeguarding lead, ensuring safeguarding remains central to the charity’s governance, culture and decision-making. The Trustee will also act as a Deputy DSL for escalated or complex safeguarding incidents where additional oversight or support is required.

This is a highly rewarding role for someone with senior experience in an educational, youth, community or charitable setting who wants to use their professional expertise to make a real difference. We are looking for someone who will bring energy, insight and ambition and will play an active part in shaping the charity’s future. As a key member of the Board, you’ll help to ensure that Ben’s legacy continues to change lives and prevent knife crime across the UK.

Strategy and Governance

• Act as a full member of the Board of Trustees, contributing to the overall governance, strategy, and direction of the charity.
• Lead on education and youth work at Board level, keeping young people at the centre of our decision making, and ensuring our programme delivery is grounded in best practice.
• Lead on safeguarding and child protection matters at Board level, ensuring safeguarding remains a key strategic priority for the organisation.
• Support the Board in understanding and carrying out its safeguarding responsibilities and regulatory obligations.
• Ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, including the Charity Commission and funders.

Safeguarding Oversight and Support

• Promote a strong safeguarding culture across the organisation, centred on the safety and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults.
• Support the review, development and implementation of safeguarding-related policies, procedures and practices.
• Work closely with the Senior Leadership Team to provide strategic advice and support on safeguarding and child protection matters.
• Provide oversight and appropriate challenge regarding safeguarding incidents, themes, risks and organisational responses.
• Act as Deputy DSL in cases involving escalated, high-risk or complex safeguarding concerns where additional support or oversight is required.

Support and Guidance

• Provide professional education, youth work, and safeguarding expertise and mentorship to the Board, Senior Leadership Team and relevant staff.
• Support the organisation in developing safe, inclusive and trauma-informed approaches to working with young people.
• Provide appropriate challenge and scrutiny to ensure all decisions are centred around young people and their safety, whilst aligning with the charity’s values, responsibilities and risk mitigation strategies.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking a Trustee (Safeguarding & Young People Lead) who will bring youth work, education and safeguarding expertise. We actively encourage people from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to join our Board and help shape the future of The Ben Kinsella Trust. We recognise the value that diverse voices bring to our decision-making and to the way we work. We are particularly keen to hear from people who are currently underrepresented on our Board or within the wider charity sector, and who can bring different insights to our governance and strategy.

While we’re looking for candidates with the skills and experience listed, we know no one is perfect in every area. If you meet some of the criteria, we’d still really love to hear from you. Please feel free to reach out for a friendly chat about the role and your application.

Skills and experience

• Education and / or Youth work experience: A recognised qualification in education, youth work, social work or a related field, alongside senior leadership experience in an organisation that works with children and young people.
• Safeguarding experience in a senior role: Substantial safeguarding leadership experience (5+ years) in a senior leadership, executive or board level role; with current or previous experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
• Strategic leadership experience: Proven strategic experience at executive or board level, recognising the impact of strategic decisions on outcomes for young people, whilst overseeing service delivery and protecting the organisation from risk.

Values

We are looking for someone who:

• Is ambitious and proactive. You’re driven to make a tangible impact and actively contribute, and you’ll take the initiative to help the charity grow and achieve its mission.
• Is passionate about making a difference, and committed to preventing knife crime and improving outcomes for young people.
• Values equity and inclusion and actively promotes diversity in decision making and governance.
• Works collaboratively. You’ll engage with other members of the board and senior leadership team, work together, and bring both constructive challenge and support.

What you’ll be expected to do

• The role requires attendance at approximately 8-10 Full Board meetings per year, usually held virtually.
• Additional commitment includes preparing for meetings, reviewing programmes related reports and policies, and engaging with safeguarding matters or staff meetings as required.
• Occasional attendance at charity events, strategy days, or stakeholder meetings may also be requested.
• Overall, the role is expected to require 6–8 hours per month on average, with some months busier than others.

External resources

The following documents and links will help you understand the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities that being a Trustee involves:

• What is a trustee? - NCVO Knowhow
• The essential trustee: what you need to know, what you need to do - GOV.UK

How to apply

If you would like to apply, please submit a CV and include a supporting statement, detailing why you are interested in the role and your relevant experience and suitability.

Applications close: Tuesday 7th July, 5pm

Interview schedule:

• 1st stage, online via MS Teams. 14th / 15th July
• 2nd stage, online via MS Teams. 21st / 22nd July

For a chat about the role, you can reach out directly to Patrick Green (CEO) via email Patrick.Green@benkinsella.org.uk