Governor

Become a Governor at National Star and help to ensure that young people with complex disabilities get the best education possible to help them develop and achieve their life goals.

We are seeking several people who share our vision of a world in which people with disabilities are able to realise their potential as equal and active citizens in control of their lives to become Governors at National Star.

As a Governor you will work with others to oversee and monitor college activities and ensure safeguarding policies for students and employees are maintained. You will ensure students have every opportunity to achieve the best outcomes they can, with access to a personalised, broad and balanced curriculum which prepares them for life after college.

The Governing body approves the quality strategy of National Star and agrees targets and monitors progress to achieve continuous improvement.

Governors typically devote around 12 hours a month to their roles at National Star. Some months are busier than others, due to the cycle of meetings. To help you to plan your time all meetings are set by July for the next academic year.

Join us as a Governor and you will be part of a highly respected national charity, investing in services that will enhance the lives and independence of young people with complex disabilities and learning disabilities.

Our ideal Governors will:

• Adhere to our values of ambition, collaboration, integrity, respect and sustainability
• Have personal integrity and be able to demonstrate a passion and commitment to National Star
• Prepare and participate actively in meetings
• Work collaboratively with fellow Trustees and Governors, demonstrating empathy and awareness of the needs of others
• Have good communication skills, tact and diplomacy
• Have experience, or a willingness to learn, about strategic thinking and risk
• Have knowledge, or a willingness to learn, about issues affecting people with disabilities and the specialist education sector

Be prepared to commit time to conduct the role well, including travel and attending events out of office hours.

We encourage Governors and Trustees to attend annual leavers’ ceremonies in Ullenwood, Wales and Hereford, as well as the colleague recognition awards and colleague long-service awards.

We are looking to recruit people with a broad range of experience and are particularly interested in attracting candidates with knowledge of local authority commissioning, specialist education, change management and risk management in any setting.

National Star is a Disability Confident Employer. We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community, including those currently under-represented on our Governing body, which include people with disabilities and members of black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

Your commitment to us

The Governing body meets four times a year, generally on a weekday afternoon. Papers are distributed in advance to allow Governors to prepare for each meeting.

Benefits of joining our Governing body

By joining our Governing body, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are playing a part in the future development of one of the leading disability charities in England and Wales. Your fresh perspective could help us to see things in a different light and your professional expertise could be utilised to support our staff team in delivering our vision and values.

You will gain a broad understanding of the challenges faced by young people with complex disabilities and be able to build your professional network.

Governors at National Star are volunteers. Out of pocket expenses are reimbursed. New Governors are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check.