Established in 2008 by philanthropist Stelio Stefanou, The For Baby’s Sake Trust aims to protect and improve the life prospects of voiceless, vulnerable babies. With a mission to break cycles of domestic abuse, the Trust delivers therapeutic, trauma-informed support to provide babies with the best possible start in life.

One in five UK children faces the impact of domestic abuse, affecting lifelong well-being, particularly for babies exposed during the first 1,001 days. This early trauma can lead to societal challenges such as mental health issues, academic struggles, and perpetuation of abuse. Notably, parents can find it harder to give their baby warm and sensitive care if they did not have it themselves during their own childhoods. In response to compelling evidence highlighting the widespread impact of domestic abuse on infants, The For Baby’s Sake Trust prioritises empowering parents to break these cycles and provide their babies with an optimal beginning in life.

At the heart of the Trust's initiatives lies the For Baby's Sake programme, a pioneering effort which takes a comprehensive whole-family approach. Working with both parents (each having their own practitioner), starting in pregnancy and extending through the critical first two years of a child's life, this programme addresses the entire cycle and history of domestic abuse. By identifying and directly tackling the underlying traumas, the For Baby's Sake programme plays a crucial role during the formative period when a child's brain is developing, and vital bonds are forming.

System change is a cornerstone of the Trust’s mission, and it actively collaborates with various stakeholders, amplifying their impact by sharing innovative learnings and working alongside others to influence practices, policies, and systems. This holistic approach underscores the Trust’s dedication to not only providing therapeutic, trauma-informed support, but also actively contributing to broader systemic changes which break cycles of domestic abuse and promote the optimal well-being of families.

The For Baby's Sake Trust is guided by core values of: dignity and respect, efficiency and high performance, teamwork, making a difference, and doing the right thing. Focused on breaking the intergenerational impact of domestic abuse, the Trust strives for lasting positive change, currently supporting up to 170 families each year through its programme operating mainly across the East of England, London and the South-East of England, and Blackpool. With plans to expand operations further in the North of England, this marks a pivotal moment for growth as the Trust enhances practices, upskills professionals, expands its operations and senior leadership team.

The For Baby's Sake Trust is guided by a dedicated Board of Trustees responsible for setting its strategic direction. Emphasising collective responsibility, the Board acts cohesively rather than individually. Trustees oversee the charity's alignment with its public benefit purposes and act in its best interests, exercising care and skill, and ensuring accountability.

Principal responsibilities of Trustees include:

• Supporting and providing advice on The For Baby’s Sake Trust’s purpose, vision, goals and activities
• Approving operational strategies and policies, and monitoring and evaluating their implementation
• Overseeing financial plans and budgets and monitoring and evaluating progress
• Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the organisation and that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively
• Reviewing and approving financial statements
• Providing support and challenge to the CEO and Senior Leadership Team in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs
• Keep abreast of changes in the operating environment and contributing to regular reviews of governance
• Exercising independent judgement, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect The For Baby’s Sake Trust’s interests while contributing to the broader promotion of the Trust’s objects, aims, and reputation

In December 2022, Stelio Stefanou stepped down as Chairman after 14 years of inspirational leadership, succeeded by Dame Lin Homer. Looking forward, The For Baby’s Sake Trust is seeking dedicated Trustees to join the Board, who will bring expertise in either digital / technology, fundraising, or strategic communications. The new Trustees will contribute valuable insights to enhance the Trust’s mission to improve babies' lives.

The successful candidates will bring expertise in one of the following areas:

Digital / technology: The successful candidate will be able to advise the Board and executive leadership on overseeing IT procedures and systems, case management, data mining and visualisation, cybersecurity and media and / or social media. They could be, for example, a Chief Technology Officer or a Digital Director. The Trust is open as to which sector the candidates come from, as long as they bring transferable digital and informational management experience.

Fundraising: Applicants will bring experience in fundraising, either professionally or in non-executive capacity, with a strong understanding of the challenges facing UK charities in maximising income streams and donor cultivation. Ideally, they will bring experience in a range of fundraising practices such as corporate, high net worth, individual giving, or licensing & royalties. They will play a crucial part in shaping the strategic growth of the Trust

Strategic communications, media work, policy development and influencing: Applicants should be able to strengthen the Trust’s strategic communications and ability to influence and amplify the voices of the organisations the Trust supports. They will be able to support the Trust to develop an effective organisation-wide strategy to make policy, influencing and strategic communications integral to achieving the Trust’s vision, mission and values.

The Board embraces the power of having diverse perspectives around the Trust. In particular, individuals with direct lived and learned experience of the issues addressed by the Trust are encouraged to apply, bringing a valuable perspective to the role of Trustee. Less experienced but high potential individuals with no non-executive experience are also welcome to apply, as the successful candidates will be provided with a comprehensive learning and development programme in addition to the standard induction.

Above all, the successful candidates will bring a passion for children's emotional wellbeing and believe in the potential for people to make changes in their behaviour and lives with the right support.

Trustees

Dame Lin Homer, Chair
Adam Shutkever, Vice-Chair
Lady Sally Knowles
Philip Fellowes-Prynne
Jon Chapman, Lead Trustee for Safeguarding

This role is unremunerated, but reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed. The Board meets four times per year. These meetings are normally held in person in London at 20 Fenchurch Street, but Board members also join virtually upon request. Trustees are invited to participate in an annual all-staff meeting and occasionally join events with families engaged in the programme on a rotating basis, considering scheduling constraints. Additionally, Trustees are expected to provide ad hoc support through participation in working groups or assisting the executive team as needed. The appointment is initially for a three-year term, which is renewable for up to an additional three years at the Board's discretion.

The For Baby’s Sake Trust is keen to ensure that its governing body reflects the wide demographic of families that it supports. The Board welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, belief or disability. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.