Location: Surrey

Job Type: Temporary

Description:

Trustee (Volunteer Roles) 

Who we are 

The Eikon Charity helps children and young people in Surrey to feel and be safe, heard, and supported.  We listen, talk, and help them build the skills and confidence they need to thrive.  And we work with families and professionals to make sure that everyone gets the support they need.  We are looking for people with passion and expertise to join the team.  

Our vision  

For all children and young people in Surrey to be safe and to thrive. 

Our mission  

To enable and support children and young people in Surrey to have the wellbeing and resilience they need to stay safe and to thrive. 

Our values 

We elevate and amplify the voices of children & young people. 

The needs of young people guide everything we do, shaping every decision and action we take. 

We act with compassion. 

We empathise with the pressures of modern life and feel compelled to help without judgement. 

We work together. 

Partnering with parents, carers, schools, policymakers, and young people themselves helps us all to succeed. 

We take responsibility. 

We recognise our part to play in the future of children & young people, and we hold ourselves accountable for their success. 

Our culture 

We recognise our collective strength and champion the power of individuals. Our teams are amazing and inspire people every day. We work hard to create an environment where all of our staff and volunteers feel comfortable to bring their whole selves to work.    

Diversity enriches us and improves the support we give children and young people. 

The work we do creates change to be celebrated, rewarding moments, and outcomes to be proud of every day. It can also bring professional and personal challenges to each of us.    

We support each other to share our moments of success, do the best we can for young people, ensure everyone enjoys their work, and support our colleagues when they need it. 

 

The practicalities 

 

Reporting to: Chair of the Board of Trustees 

Location: Surrey; in person meetings, approximately five times per year.  

 Additional opportunity to join a Board committee or working group. 

Term of Office:  Initial term of three years.  

Remuneration: Voluntary role: reasonable expenses reimbursed 

 

 

We are seeking three Trustees to join our Board with different specialisms as follows:  

 

1.          Strategic Business Development 

2.          Safeguarding 

3.          Digital innovation & AI  

 

The Roles 

Trustees are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity. Working closely with the Chair, fellow Trustees, the CEO and the Senior Leadership Team, you will help ensure that Eikon remains focused on delivering meaningful outcomes for children and young people, well governed and financially sustainable. 

 

Key Responsibilities 

• Contribute to the development, approval and oversight of Eikon's strategic objectives. 

• Support the charity's long-term sustainability and growth. 

• Monitor service delivery performance, financial health and risk management. 

• Ensure the charity operates within its governing documents and complies with relevant legal and regulatory requirements. 

• Act as an ambassador for Eikon, promoting its work and values through professional and community networks. 

• Work collaboratively with fellow Trustees to support and constructively challenge the CEO and the Senior Leadership Team. 

 

Person Specification (Strategic Business Development) 

Essential 

• Senior leadership experience, or equivalent experience operating at a strategic level. 

• Expertise in strategic business development, organisational growth, partnerships, or organisational development. 

• Strong forward-thinking skills with the ability to bring vision and innovative ideas to discussions.  

• Sound judgement, with the ability to evaluate opportunities, trade-offs, and risks. 

• Ability to collaborate effectively and contribute constructively and in a pragmatic way as a member of the Board. 

• Proven ability to build senior-level partnerships and turn strategic opportunities into practical, sustainable plans. 

• Experience using evidence, market insight, and performance data to guide growth, income diversification, and investment decisions. 

Desirable 

• Previous experience as a Trustee, Non-Executive Director or Governor. 

• Experience in the charity, public, education, or health sectors. 

• Knowledge of fundraising, commercial development or corporate partnerships. 

• Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities in organisations supporting children and young people. 

• Experience of developing earned-income opportunities, commissioning relationships, bids or strategic alliances. 

 

Person Specification (Safeguarding) 

Essential 

• Senior-level safeguarding leadership or specialist experience in a charity, education, health, social care or youth services setting. 

• Up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance, safer working practices and trustees’ responsibilities in organisations supporting children and young people. 

• Experience providing strategic oversight of safeguarding policy, practice, reporting, risk management and organisational learning. 

• Confidence and ability to support and constructively challenge senior leaders, including in relation to serious incidents, allegations and escalation. 

• Ability to interpret safeguarding information and assurance data, identify themes and ensure appropriate action and effective Board oversight. 

• Commitment to child-centered, trauma-informed and inclusive practice, Eikon’s mission and values, and collaborative Board working. 

Desirable 

• A relevant professional safeguarding qualification or substantial continuing professional development in safeguarding. 

• Experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead, Safeguarding Trustee, Governor, Non-Executive Director or member of a safeguarding committee. 

• Experience of multi-agency safeguarding, case reviews, audit, quality assurance or engagement with regulators and commissioners. 

 

Person Specification (Digital Innovation & AI) 

Essential 

• Senior leadership experience, or equivalent strategic expertise, in technology, digital transformation, data, cyber security, information governance or responsible AI. 

• Ability to provide independent oversight and constructive challenge across technology strategy, investment, delivery, risk and value for money. 

• Strong understanding of cyber security, data protection, digital resilience, supplier management and business continuity. 

• Knowledge of the opportunities, limitations and ethical risks of AI, including privacy, bias, transparency, human oversight and its safe use in services for children and young people. 

• Ability to translate complex technical issues into clear implications, options and decisions for a non-technical Board. 

• Commitment to accessible and inclusive digital services, Eikon’s mission and values, and collaborative Board working. 

 

Desirable 

• Previous experience as a Trustee, Non-Executive Director, Governor or member of a technology steering group. 

• Experience of leading or overseeing technology-enabled change in the charity, education, public, health or social care sectors. 

• Knowledge of digital safeguarding, technology procurement, cloud services, data analytics or AI governance frameworks. 

 

Trustee Responsibilities (all roles) 

Trustees are expected to fulfil the duties outlined by the Charity Commission, including: 

• Ensuring the charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit. 

• Acting in the best interests of the charity and its beneficiaries. 

• Managing the charity's resources responsibly. 

• Exercising reasonable care, skill and diligence. 

• Ensuring accountability, governance transparency and compliance with legal and regulatory obligations. 

 

Time Commitment 

• Four early evening Board meetings per year of approximately three hours each. 

• One annual Trustee and Senior Leadership Team Away Day. 

• Preparation and review of Board papers in advance of meetings. 

• Occasional attendance at charity events, or stakeholder meetings where appropriate. 

• Opportunity to join a Board committee, ad hoc advisory or working groups as the need arises. 

 

The overall time commitment is approximately 6 to 10 days per year.  Board, committee and working group meetings take place in the evenings from 17:00, and there is one Away Day each year in March.  

 

Eikon is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and communities. 

 

Contact 

Jean Pullen (People Lead):  Jean.Pullen@eikon.org.uk or 01932 629656   

 

Eikon is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. The suitability of all prospective employees or volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process. 

An offer of employment will be subject to an approved Enhanced DBS and Barring Disclosure.