Safeguarding Trustee

Our Second Home is the UK’s youth movement of people with refugee backgrounds. We have welcomed over 500 young people from 47 countries to our activities in London, Essex & Bristol. We exist for displaced youth to build community, become leaders and flourish in the place they call home.

With residential trips, leadership training, youth hubs, and one-to-one support, we are creating a peer-led social movement, and are searching for an experienced and passionate individual to become our Safeguarding Trustee. In your role, you will collaborate closely with the staff team, working in tandem with the rest of the board to ensure we foster an open, caring, and diligent culture with trauma-informed and asset-based approaches at their heart.

THE ROLE

Strategic Oversight of Safeguarding:

• Ensure that safeguarding policies and procedures are in place, up-to-date, and implemented effectively across every aspect of OSH’s work.
• Monitor and review OSH’s safeguarding policies and training materials, ensuring they comply with legal obligations and best practices.
• Chair the Safeguarding Working Group, which meets twice a year.
• Ad-hoc advice to staff with safeguarding responsibilities during events.

Monitoring and Reporting:

• Oversee the management of safeguarding incidents, ensuring they are handled in line with OSH’s safeguarding policy
• Provide support to the CEO and Safeguarding Lead to ensure any safeguarding concerns are properly escalated, investigated, and reported to the relevant authorities.
• Ensure the Board is regularly updated on safeguarding issues and risks, both internally and sector-wide.

Governance and Compliance:

• Ensure OSH meets its statutory responsibilities for safeguarding and child protection.
• Act as the Board’s safeguarding expert, advising on all safeguarding-related matters, including risk management.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding legislation and best practices to ensure OSH’s compliance.
• Oversee the mitigation of risks that could affect the charity's operations, reputation, or financial stability.

Other trustee responsibilities:

• Collaborate closely with the CEO and Programme Manager in their roles as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputy DSL, offering mentorship, support, and constructive feedback.
• Contribute to the development and execution of the charity's strategic plan.
• Monitor progress towards strategic goals and adapt strategies as needed.
• Act as a passionate advocate for OSH, representing our mission and values to external stakeholders.
• Cultivate and nurture relationships with partners, donors, and the wider community.
• Leverage your network to advance the charity's interests and fundraising efforts.

ABOUT YOU

Skills, experiences & qualities

• Experience in safeguarding or child protection, particularly within local authorities, youth services, or organisations working with vulnerable people.
• A strong understanding of safeguarding policies, procedures, and practices, ideally in a context involving young people and vulnerable individuals.
• An understanding of the unique challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and statutory responsibilities for safeguarding in the UK.
• Experience working with diverse communities and an understanding of the importance of cultural sensitivity in safeguarding practices.
• Previous trustee experience is desirable, but not essential.
• Enhanced DBS check (or willingness to undergo a DBS check)

Our Second Home is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering diversity and inclusion. We particularly encourage applications from women, those with disabilities, and those from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, and those who have lived experience of the asylum system.