Doncaster Deaf Trust are seeking committed volunteers from a range of backgrounds to join the Charity as a Governor or Trustee.
Doncaster Deaf Trust can trace its history back to 1829 when Reverend William Carr Fenton set up a school to help young deaf people receive an education to equip them to become self-supporting adults. Throughout the Trust's history, there has been a consistent belief in the importance of deaf and hearing-impaired children and young people receiving a specialist intervention to help them achieve their full potential.
Our vision is:
To be a Centre of Excellence for deaf education.
Our mission is:
To develop high quality, innovative and collaborative provision in a financially efficient environment which empowers deaf and hearing-impaired learners to live a productive life.
Governors and Trustees are critical to the success of the Charity. Although they are volunteers, they provide challenge and monitoring. They ask questions and probe the information they have been provided. Governors and Trustees are often seen as the ‘critical friend’ to ensure the senior executive teams are responding to the challenges and key priorities. Being a Governor or Trustee is supportive within a group of other volunteers who work together as a collective voice.
You do not need experience of being a governor or trustee. Doncaster Deaf Trust provide a full induction process and additional training and will support all new governors and trustees in their role.
Governors and Trustees come from many backgrounds. We are seeking individuals who may be able to offer expertise in the following areas:
- Finance and estates
- Education outcomes
- Special education needs
- Human resources
- Legal
- Governance and compliance
- Risk management
- Health and safety
What are the benefits of becoming a Trustee or Governor?
DDT Trustees and Governors find the role challenging, interesting and deeply rewarding because they can see how their work contributes to the well-being and prospects of our young people and the role we play in the wider community. It gives them a real opportunity to make a difference.
What does the role involve?
We have full job descriptions available which can be provided on request. You will be required to attend around four to six meetings per year (depending on your exact role). Governors and Trustees are also expected to prepare for meeting by reviewing the meeting pack and may also be required to visit the Charity in relation to specific elements of their role; for example, if you are the link for health and safety you will be required to visit and meet the appropriate staff. The National Governance Association offers some advice at https://www.nga.org.uk/Governance-Recruitment/Be-a-school-governor-or-trustee.aspx.
What next?
If you are interested, please contact the Trust Clerk for an initial informal discussion. You will then be put in contact with the appropriate Chair before a decision is made on joining Doncaster Deaf Trust. Once approved, you will be invited to complete paperwork and attend your first Board meeting backed up by a full induction process.
Clerk – Lesley Millard, 07921 645 756, lesleymillard@glkgroup.co.uk