On behalf of the Percy Hedley Foundation, I would like to thank you for your interest in applying for the position of Trustee.
The Foundation's Board is made up of a number of volunteers who have a wealth of experience from diverse backgrounds. We are looking to add to the Board as some vacancies have recently arisen.
The Percy Hedley Foundation is currently at an exciting stage in its development. The organisation has seen significant growth in the last 3 years and continues to seek out opportunities to expand. A new hydrotherapy pool and a children’s residential unit were opened at our Killingworth site earlier this year and planning for growth continues across all of our adult and children’s services. The Board, CEO and Executive Team play a crucial role in determining strategy and direction to ensure the Foundation meets the challenges of the current economic climate and delivers the highest possible level of care and support to our service users.
We are seeking out individuals to join the Board that have a background or experience in:
- Education
- Residential Service provision – children or adults
- Human Resources or Organisational Development
Enclosed you will find details as follows:
- Application Form
- About the Foundation
- The Board and Governance
- Governance Structure
Further information about the Foundation can be found on our website :
Once again thank you for your interest and I do hope that after reading more about the Foundation and what we do from the information enclosed, you will feel inspired to apply for a position.
Nick Swales
Chair
Applications to be returned to Angela Elliott, CEO’s PA, The Percy Hedley Foundation, Hampeth Lodge, Station Road, Forest Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 8YY or email:
About the Percy Hedley Foundation
The charity was set up 63 years ago by parents to meet the needs of children and the ethos of putting service users and their families at the heart of everything we do continues today.
With a current turnover of over £23m and as an employer of 1000 staff we are one of the biggest regional charities in the country and one of the largest employers in the North East. The Foundation has seen rapid growth over the last five years despite the difficult economic climate seeing turnover rise by 38% and staff numbers increase by 50%. The charity provides a wide range of services to people with a disability and to their families, all branded as Hedleys. Services include specialist pre-school, primary, secondary and post-16 education services, a specialist FE College, a disability sports academy and a wide variety of day services for adults (Able2). In addition, we provide residential services for all ages, transition and employability support and a range of training courses and workshops for parents and professionals, many of whom visit from organisations from across the world.
Our purpose
We provide a wide range of high quality, specialist and personalised care and education support to disabled people and their families.
Who we support
We meet the needs of disabled people with cerebral palsy, communication impairments, sensory impairments and complex learning, social care and therapeutic needs.
What we do
We offer a wide range of services to children, young people and adults. Our education services include Hedleys Percy Hedley School, Hedleys Northern Counties School, Hedleys College and residential and respite care for all ages.
Adult services include residential services and an ever increasing variety of day care services.
We also run a hugely successful Employability Project which has just received additional funding from the Big Lottery to continue its work with employers over the next three years.
The Sports Academy offers a wide range of disability sports catering for all ages and its facilities are used not only by many local disabled groups but also for regional and national events.
To make all of this happen we have a dedicated team of fundraisers, who work all year round to raise money that goes directly to provide these vital services, specialist equipment and facilities.
Our vision:Achievement for All – we believe anything is possible
Our mission:Our passion to inspire disabled people to live, learn and do something different.
Our values:Service users are at the heart of everything we do
- Integrity – doing the right thing
- Excellence – no boundaries on potential
- Responsibility – for our behaviours, actions and results
Our strategic objectives:
- Quality and Impact – to provide high quality services that change lives
- Business Success – to plan for the future and continue to grow
- Working Together – to achieve great things
THE BOARD AND GOVERNANCE
The Board and Committees
There are currently 10 Board Members on the Foundation’s Board (including the Chair).
Board meetings are held 3 times a year, although there may be additional meetings as and when required. Board meetings are usually held in the evening from 4.30 p.m. Board Members are generally asked to sit on one of the Sub-Committees of the Board including being a member of one of the Governing boards of our schools and college. In addition Board members may be asked to take a lead responsibility in a particular area or to support a particular development or project.
The Sub-Committees currently comprise : Remuneration Committee, Nominations Committee, Finance Committee, Audit Committee, Adult Services and Residential Services.
Board Members take part in an appraisal and review process as well as an induction programme.
Role of the Board
The Board’s central role is to determine strategy, direct and control the Foundation’s affairs in accordance with the Memorandum of Association, ensuring that day to day management is effectively delegated and carried out by the Chief Executive and the Foundation’s staff.
All Board Members take collective responsibility for decisions made by the Board and each Board Member should act only in the interests of the charity and not on behalf of any constituency or interest group.
Time Commitment
In addition to attendance at Board and Committee meetings, Board Members are also expected to be able to devote sufficient time to prepare for Board meetings, reading papers and background information.
Board Members may also be expected to attend occasional Board development sessions (which may be held on a Saturday) and are encouraged to attend Foundation events in the community.
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