Trustee - Health and Safety

Trustee - Health and Safety

Posted for The Winchester Beacon (Winchester Churches Nightshelter)

Posted by Volunteer First

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Local homelessness charity, The Winchester Beacon, is looking for a trustee to join its volunteer board of directors. You will work alongside the charity's other trustees to set the strategic direction of the charity, ensuring strong governance and financial stewardship whilst supporting the staff and volunteer team to deliver high-quality services. The charity is looking for candidates with experience and knowledge of health and safety.

Role Objectives 

• Acting as lead expert on the Board in relation to health and safety, particularly in relation to working with volunteers and members of the public. 
• Advising on good practice and regulatory and policy issues in health and safety. 
• Ensuring current and future projects are developed in line with health and safety requirements. 
• Working with relevant operational staff on developing safe practices. 
• Leading on the review and updating of all health and safety policies and procedures.
• Ensuring volunteers are sufficiently trained to understand and practice good health and safety standards. 

Responsibilities 

• Expert advice: Act as the board's go-to person for all health and safety matters, particularly in relation to activities involving volunteers and the public. 
• Policy and procedure: Lead the review and update of all health and safety policies and procedures to ensure they are current and effective. 
• Compliance: Ensure the charity is complying with all relevant health and safety legislation and regulations. 
• Training and awareness: Make sure that staff and volunteers receive sufficient training on health and safety standards and that good practices are fostered. 
• Risk management: Help identify and record the risks the charity faces and how they are managed. 
• Collaboration: Work with the CEO, relevant operational staff and other competent external persons and organisations, to implement and conduct reviews to ensure safe practices.

What skills do I need?

Candidate requirements 

Essential 

• Substantial health and safety experience.
• Relevant health and safety qualifications (e.g. IOSH etc.)
• Ability to foster good practice in volunteers.
• Excellent communication skills with staff and volunteers as well as fellow trustees.
• An understanding of the importance of collaboration and problem-solving.
• Confident and proficient in the use of MS Office 365 applications
• Commitment to attend board meetings regularly, at least every 6 weeks and volunteer for other sub-committees as appropriate.
• Able to devote around 2-3 hours per week on preparing for meetings and answering queries from operational teams and the wider board.