Trustees Appointment Brief
November 2025
Welcome
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, it is my great pleasure to invite you to apply to join us as a Trustee.
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of an organisation that provides care, support, education and therapy to children, young adults and adults who need additional support. The opportunity has arisen as some of our long-standing Trustees reach the end of their terms (3 x 3 years), and others step down due to personal circumstances - including family commitments, caring responsibilities and health. We are all volunteers, and we are deeply grateful for the time and commitment each Trustee has given to support those in our care.
Personally, it has been a privilege to be part of this community and to witness the tangible impact of our work. Every visit reveals the extraordinary contributions of staff and volunteers, and the collective value we bring to the lives of our students and residents.
As a school and Trust, we also work closely with our Board of Governors, whose focus is on the educational side. Governors are invited to join our Trust Sub-Committees and main Board meetings, and we’ve worked hard to build a cohesive team across Trustees and Governors to support the Executive Principal and their team.
Following a recent skills audit, we welcome applications from individuals with relevant experience - but above all, we’re looking for people who bring enthusiasm, values and a collaborative spirit to the role. Trustees act as “Non-Executives” in the Trust setting, supporting and constructively challenging the Executive and Senior Leadership Team. We recognise that there will be difficult decisions and moments of accountability, but we approach these with care, positivity and a shared commitment to the welfare of those we serve - and to the wellbeing of our staff who make it all possible.
St Joseph’s is an inclusive Catholic community where integrated therapy, care and education help those with complex learning difficulties reach their full potential. Trustees do not need to be Catholic - we welcome all people of goodwill who share our mission.
We look forward to receiving your application.
Dominic Gorton Chair of Trustees
About us
St Joseph’s Specialist Trust is an inclusive, values-driven Catholic community where integrated therapy, care and education meets the needs of those with complex learning difficulties to reach their full potential regardless of starting points or individual challenges. St Joseph’s Specialist Trust provide specialist education, residential care, and supported living for individuals aged 5 onwards, many of whom are on the autistic spectrum or have severe learning difficulties, ADHD and communication challenges.
Students, their families, staff, Governors and Trustees form a vibrant and compassionate community, united by a shared commitment to dignity, learning, and growth.
St Joseph’s Specialist Trust aims to be a total learning environment where every aspect of a student’s experience contributes to the development of skills and understanding that are valuable both now and in the future. The Trust achieves this by offering strong pastoral support to students and their families, helping them navigate challenges together with confidence and care.
It also provides a responsive service to families and education authorities, adapting to evolving needs and addressing gaps that may not be met within the maintained sector. This holistic approach ensures that every young person in the Trust’s care is supported not only academically, but emotionally and socially, within a compassionate and inclusive community.
The Trust is proud of the reputation for high standards in care and education, and for the spiritual strengths that underpins the work. The ethos is rooted in Christian values, but they welcome Trustees, staff and students of all faiths and none. What matters most to the organisation is a shared belief in possibility:
“no limits… just possibilities”
St Joseph’s Specialist Trust is guided by a committed and collaborative governance structure. The Trustee Board is currently made up of three members, working closely with a stable and experienced Senior Leadership Team and a strong cohort of Governors. Together, they provide strategic oversight and ensure the Trust remains focused on its mission to support children and young adults with complex learning and behavioural needs. Now, they are looking for committed, energetic and values driven Trustees to strengthen governance, and help drive forward the Trust.
Recent years have seen a strengthening of relationships across governance, with Trustees, Governors, and the Executive Principal now working in close partnership to shape the Trust’s direction. This collaborative approach has helped build confidence, improve transparency, and align priorities across education, care, and supported living services.
Strategy
Following a focus on understanding the dynamics of the operation for all the elements of the Trust we now have a full picture covering quantitative and qualitative measures for the provision and support of all the children and young adults in our care. This means that we can have meaningful and professional discussions, and engagement, with the Local Authorities looking to meet the requirements they have and ensures we retain a sustainable provision meeting the needs of those entrusted to our care.
Demand is high and following a period of consolidation and improved metrics, focus on differentiated provision and understanding how we can align resourcing we are making a controlled increase in places we can make available for specific provision - leading with our new “Rainbow” stream which aims to accept children at a younger and earlier stage creating an opportunity to increase ultimate benefits. This is an exciting and developing initiative.
In parallel, review, research and collective challenge has led to investment being made into infrastructure, the site and buildings supporting the children and
young adults and all of the staff providing direct and administrative support to allow the community to thrive. This is starting to really make a difference. This work continues and long term plans to leverage the wider site to support a sustainable model are a key part of the Strategy for the “Hardware” alongside constant review and challenge by the Senior Leadership Team on improving the provision and experience that we can give to our children and young adults. The Trustees overview and support to this strategy is a key focus.
Collectively we are ambitious, whilst remaining controlled, to optimise all of the resources we have access to so that we can operate effectively in our “Business as Usual” and drive enhancements and new initiatives to support our important work to equip our children and young adults in an ever changing and demanding world – our “no limits... just possibilities” flows through into everything we do across all of us. The final challenge for all our interactions, meetings, Committees and Sub-Committees is:
“how have we done in making a difference for those in our care”.
Finances
St Joseph’s Specialist Trust operates with an annual income of approximately £10–12 million. This income supports the delivery of specialist education, residential care, and supported living services. The Trust maintains a careful balance between quality provision and financial sustainability, with recent improvements in financial oversight and strategic planning led by the Finance, Audit and Risk Sub-Committee. While the Trust has faced funding pressures in the past, it is now on a more stable footing, with a clear focus on long-term resilience.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
St Joseph’s Specialist Trust is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and equitable environment for all. As a specialist provider of education, care and supported living for children and young adults with complex needs, we recognise the importance of diversity in every form - including neurodiversity, ethnicity, gender, faith, lived experience and socio-economic background.
We actively promote a culture where difference is valued and where every individual - student, staff member, Trustee, Governor or family - feels seen, heard and supported.
Our inclusive Catholic ethos welcomes people of all faiths and none, and we are proud to work in partnership with families and professionals from a wide range of communities.
Our governance and recruitment practices reflect our commitment to broadening representation and lived experience at every level of the organisation. We are particularly keen to welcome Trustees who bring fresh perspectives, challenge assumptions, and help us better reflect the communities we serve.
Role Description
Job title: Trustee
Remuneration:
These Trustee roles are a voluntary commitment not accompanied by any financial remuneration. Reasonable expenses such as travel or childcare may be claimed.
Location: Cranleigh, Surrey (hybrid) – meetings are held in Surrey, or virtual.
Time commitment: Trustees commit approximately 10–12 days per year, including three full board meetings (one per term, with inperson attendance preferred) and three Sub-Committee meetings annually. Board meetings are held in the evening, while Sub-Committee meetings typically begin at 4pm.
Reporting to: Chair of Trustees
Purpose: St Josephs Specialist Trust are looking for five Trustees who will play a vital role in guiding the organisation’s strategic direction and ensuring it delivers on its mission to support children and young adults with complex learning and behavioural needs. Working in close partnership with the Executive Principal and Senior Leadership Team, Trustees provide oversight, support, and constructive challenge across education, residential care, and supported living services. They help shape and approve operational strategies, monitor financial performance, and ensure effective governance through active participation in Board and Sub-Committee meetings. With the Board currently operating with three members, Trustees also contribute to strengthening Board capacity and embedding inclusive governance practices.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
• Provide strategic oversight of St Joseph’s mission, vision, and long-term objectives across education, residential care, and supported living.
• Approve operational strategies and policies, monitoring their implementation and impact.
• Support the development of a resilient, values-led organisation that adapts to emerging needs and sector challenges.
• Champion the Trust’s commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, and high-quality provision for children and young adults with complex needs.
Governance and Accountability
• Ensure the Trust operates within its charitable objectives and complies with legal, regulatory, and constitutional requirements.
• Oversee financial plans and budgets, reviewing and approving annual financial statements.
• Monitor organisational performance, ensuring effective administration and risk management systems are in place.
• Keep abreast of changes in the operating environment, particularly in education, care, and safeguarding.
Board Development and Effectiveness
• Attend Board meetings and serve on one of three Sub-Committees:
• Care and Standards
• Finance, Audit and Risk
• Governing Body (school-focused)
• Contribute to regular reviews of governance effectiveness and Board composition.
• Support the induction and integration of new Trustees, helping to build a diverse and skilled Board.
• Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect the Trust’s interests.
Relationship with the Executive Principal
• Provide support and constructive challenge to the Executive Principal and Senior Leadership Team.
• Engage directly with leadership on strategic priorities, delegated authority, and organisational performance.
• Offer advice and guidance on key initiatives, drawing on professional expertise and lived experience.
External Engagement
• Promote the Trust’s aims and reputation through professional networks, partnerships, and public representation.
• Contribute to the broader visibility and impact of St Joseph’s by sharing knowledge, contacts, and advocacy.
• As a small charity, Trustees may be asked to support beyond Board meetingsincluding paper reviews, disciplinary matters, and external presentations.
Person Specification
Experience
• Experience of strategic leadership, governance, or oversight within a charity, education, care, or public service environment.
• Familiarity with safeguarding responsibilities in education, residential care, or supported living settings.
• Experience of external representation or stakeholder engagement, with the ability to build credibility and influence.
Knowledge and Skills
• Strong understanding of organisational strategy, risk management, and financial oversight.
• Ability to support and challenge constructively, ensuring accountability and high performance.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with confidence engaging across diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Awareness of the challenges and opportunities facing organisations working with vulnerable or neurodiverse communities.
• Knowledge in one or more of the following priority areas is particularly welcome:
• IT Systems and Cyber Security
• HR and People Strategy
• Charity Law and Governance
• Marketing and Communications
• Buildings Management and Health and Safety
• Legal and Contract Law
• Health Services
• Education, Creative Arts, Design and Trades
• Catholic Social Teaching
Personal Attributes
• A clear commitment to the mission, values, and social purpose of St Joseph’s Specialist Trust.
• Empathetic, inclusive, and collaborative approach to board engagement.
• Willingness to engage with staff and students and contribute beyond Board meetings where needed.
• Sound judgement, integrity, and the ability to navigate complex or sensitive issues.
• Commitment to safeguarding, equity, diversity and inclusion, and to Nolan’s Seven Principles of Public Life.
• Enthusiasm for the Trust’s vision - “no limits… just possibilities” - and a belief in the potential of every young person.
Trustees do not need to be Catholic; the Trust welcomes people of all faiths and none who share its values and mission. We also welcome interest from people who are new Trustees but bring wider experience and a desire to learn.
How to Apply
To apply for the role, please upload your CV together with a supporting statement (of no more than 500 words) onto the Prospectus website via the link.
For guidance on formulating your supporting statement, please review our guide here.
Please ensure that you have included a telephone number, as well as any dates when you will not be available or might have difficulty with the recruitment timetable.
If you wish to apply using an alternative format please contact Prospectus on 020 7691 1920 or email:
executive.admin@prospect-us.co.uk
Recruitment Timetable
Deadline for applications: 11th January 2026
Interviews with St Joseph’s Specialist Trust:
Stage one: w/c 19th January 2026
Stage two: w/c 26th January 2026
Queries
If you wish to have an informal discussion about the opportunity, please contact our retained advisors Rhys Barber or James Rice at Prospectus on 020 7691 1920, or email:
Rhys.Barber@prospect-us.co.uk
James.Rice@prospect-us.co.uk
Applications via the Prospectus website should be made at: https://prospect-us.co.uk/job/193181
At Prospectus we believe passionately that a truly inclusive workplace leads to increased social impact. We are committed to supporting our clients build more inclusive teams. To understand how we are performing, we ask that you kindly complete the brief equal opportunities questionnaire when you submit your application via our website. Please be assured that your responses are kept confidential, separate from your candidate record, are not part of any application you make, and that the consultants never see individual responses to the questionnaire.
