Information Pack

Applicants to the Board of Grandparents Plus

Thank you for your interest in Grandparents Plus’ board of trustees. Inside this pack you will find:

  • Grandparents Plus’ mission, vision and charitable objects
  • The trustee job description and person specification
  • Our latest annual report and accounts*
  • Our ‘who we are and what we do’ leaflet*

The selection process

The role of Trustee is an extremely important one and the Board is keen to ensure that new Trustees strengthen the Board’s mix of skills, expertise and diversity and also demonstrate an understanding of the expectations of the role.

If you are interested in becoming a Trustee and would like to talk informally to someone first, please contact Sam Smethers, our Chief Executive on 020 8981 8001 who can answer queries or put you in touch with the Chair or another board member for a confidential conversation.

If you wish to apply please write to us (email or letter) providing a short statement outlining why you would like to be a Trustee and what skills and experience you would bring to this role. Please also include a short CV. The deadline for applications is Friday 1st October.

Please email your application to with the subject heading ‘board application’ or you can return postal applications to:

Grandparents Plus, 18 Victoria Park Square, Bethnal Green, London E2 9PF

The Nominations Committee will interview candidates on Tuesday 19th or Thursday 21st October and will make recommendations to the Board. Successful candidates will initially be approved by the Board at it’s autumn meeting and then able to stand for election at the AGM which is scheduled for January next year.

Trustees generally meet four times a year for board meetings plus a one day strategy awayday discussion. Trustees are expected to attend all meetings. Trustees’ expenses (for travel to Board meetings and overnight accommodation where required and childcare costs) are paid, but the role itself is without remuneration.

Please do get in touch if you require any further information.

Yours sincerely

Jean Stogdon, Chair

*note if you are downloading this information pack these items can be downloaded separately at

Our vision

Our vision is of a society in which the vital role of grandparents and the wider family in children’s lives is recognised and valued, and where they receive the support they need to help children achieve their full potential.

Our mission

Grandparents Plus is the national charity which champions the vital role of grandparents and the wider family in children's lives - especially when they take on the caring role in difficult family circumstances. We work to support grandparents and the wider family by:

  • Campaigning for change so that their contribution to children's wellbeing and care is valued and understood
  • Providing evidence, policy solutions and training so that they get the services and support they need to help children thrive
  • Building alliances and networks so that they can have a voice and support each other, especially when they become children's full-time carers.

Our values

Inclusive: we are approachable, welcoming and non-judgemental. We celebrate the diversity of family life, and we actively challenge prejudice and discrimination.

Authoritative: our work is based on clear evidence, balanced argument and expert understanding of the realities of family life. We provide specialist knowledge about the role and needs of grandparents and the wider family, informed by the voices and experience of grandparents and extended families themselves.

Collaborative: we strive for open and productive relationships with all of our stakeholders, and work in collaborative partnerships and alliances to achieve our aims.

Campaigning: we have a clear agenda for change to improve the lives of children, grandparents and families, and we mount compelling and effective campaigns to challenge the status quo and deliver positive change in opinion, policy and practice.

Charitable Objects

Grandparents Plus was founded in 2001 by Lord Young of Dartington and Jean Stogdon, our Chair. It became a registered charity in 2002 and is also incorporated as a Limited Company. It is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association where the objectives are the same as those set out in its charity registration which are to promote the better care, upbringing and establishment in life of children, in particular by;

  • Promoting the role of kinship care by grandparents at all levels, particularly in circumstances of family breakdown, single parenthood or other difficult circumstances;
  • Supporting and advising grandparents and other kin who are acting as or intend to act as carers, particularly in the circumstances mentioned above.

Job description for Grandparents Plus Board member

Job purpose: To further the organisation’s mission, keeping within its charitable objectives.

Main tasks

With other board members:

  1. To provide strategic leadership for the organisation by taking part in formulating and regularly reviewing its strategic aims, setting overall policy, and evaluating performance.
  2. To ensure that the activities, policy and practices of the organisation are in keeping with its objects and aims.
  3. To ensure that the organisation complies with the legal and financial requirements of a charitable organisation and its own governing documents and strives to achieve best practice.

Main duties

1.Providing strategic leadership

  • Consider the organisation as a whole and its beneficiaries, whether as a member of the board members or any of its committees, sub-committees, groups etc.
  • Reflect the organisation's vision and principles, strategy and major policies at all times.
  • Contribute specific skills, interests and contacts and support the organisation in fundraising activities.

2.Ensuring policies and practices are in keeping with aims

  • Have reference to Charity Commissionguidance at all times, particularly when exercising the functions of the board members, or any of its committees, sub-committees, groups.
  • Attend meetings of the board members.
  • Reflect the board members' policies and concerns on all its committees, sub-committees, groups.

3.Ensuring best practice

  • to appoint the CEO and monitor his/her performance.
  • To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
  • To maintain sound financial management and control of the charity’s resources.
  • Be an active member of the board in exercising its responsibilities and functions.
  • Maintain constructive relationships with staff.
  • Take part in training and development sessions provided for the benefit of the board members.
  • Fulfil such other duties and assignments as may be required from time to time by the board.
  • To use specific skills, knowledge or expertise to help the board members reach sound decisions. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, or providing advice and guidance on new initiatives.

Person Specification

At any time the Board needs a good balance in terms of the mix of skills and diversity of background of trustees. Some of the criteria below are essential for all Board members. Other criteria are identified as ‘essential’ as part of the overall Board mix, but not essential for all Board members. In making judgements on desirable criteria we will have regard to the overall balance on the Board at any one time.

Essential

  • Commitment to Grandparents Plus’ vision, mission, and values and to our work to improve the lives of the 300,000 children in kinship care.
  • Ability to work well as part of a Board and contribute broadly to the work described above (for example good team work and constructive challenge).

Desirable

  • Experience of being a grandparent or of the influence of grandparents in your life; or experience of being a kinship carer, of growing up or working in kinship care; or experience of working on issues that are directly relevant to grandparents and the role they play in family life.
  • Experience of Board or committee work
  • Experience of major organisational processes such as strategic planning, budgeting and risk management.

Specific skills, knowledge or experience in any of the following areas:

  • Financial and business skills
  • Fundraising expertise
  • Experience of service delivery or of local government
  • marketing

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