Wessex Children’s Hospice Trust is one the largest single-site premises in the UK providing hospice care services to children, young people, young adults and their families in two purpose-built hospices, Naomi House and Jacksplace. The charity also provides needs-led care services at home directly through its own team and in partnership with community nursing teams as necessary.

The hospice services provided by the charity have been developed to meet the needs of children, young people, young adults and their families who live with a life-threatening or life-limiting condition. It aims to provide every one of its beneficiaries who meet the criteria with the care services they need.

Over the next five years, the strategic priorities of the Trust include continuing to provide high-quality care services to the families who need them, increasing its income and managing costs to develop services in a sustainable way, and maximising the opportunities presented by the NHS Long Term Plan to work more collaboratively with other providers to improve services for its beneficiaries. The ambitions of the Trust reflect its strong financial position and track record in attracting the funds required to progress these plans.

The Chair will lead the Board of Trustees, ensuring that it fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of the Trust and that the Trust acts in accordance with its constitution and standing orders. More specifically, the main duties of the Chair are to:

• In partnership with the Chief Executive, set the overall direction of the Trust and ensure that the Trust’s mission and objectives are achieved
• Support the Chief Executive in implementing the strategy of the Trust and in discharging the operational responsibilities delegated by the Trustees
• Ensure that the Trust puts in place and maintains an efficient system of financial accounting and investment which meets the stipulations of charity law and protects the Trust’s funds and assets
• Ensure that the Trust has a fundraising strategy which is carried out in compliance with the laws, regulations and standards which apply to the Trust
• Ensure that the Board is able to regularly review major risks and associated opportunities, and satisfy itself that systems are in place to take advantage of opportunities, and manage and mitigate the risks
• Ensure that the Board fulfils its duties to ensure sound financial health of the charity, with systems in place to ensure financial accountability

Wessex Children’s Hospice Trust is looking for a Chair with prior board experience who has an interest in, and commitment to, its important work. The Trust is looking for candidates with past senior strategic leadership experience from any field, who may have experience chairing meetings and events, delivering presentations and managing stakeholders. As there is currently a strong executive team at the Trust, the new Chair should have a nurturing and supportive leadership style, where they can listen to advice and ideas constructively. 

It would be ideal if the new Chair had experience within charity governance or the hospice sector, but it is more important that the candidates have a broad understanding of these areas and the current issues affecting them.

This role is unremunerated, but reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. There are four Board meetings every year, with each taking place from 6pm to 8pm. Additionally, there are two strategy workshops every year, with one taking place in May and one in November. These last about half a day and tend to start in the late afternoon. Ad hoc events may include chairing other committees, in-person catch-ups with the CEO or providing advice as needed. The appointment is for a three-year term, which can be renewed twice at the discretion of the Board.