Chair of Trustees - Small Steps
Small Steps, School for Parents
We are looking for a new Chair of Trustees to lead Small Steps at this critical and exciting time! We have a clear vision to maximise our impact by reaching as many children and families who need it most in the local area and beyond. The new Chair will play a vital role in making this happen. If you would like to learn more about the role, click below to read our recruitment pack and find out how to apply. Applications close on 30 January 2026.
We are looking for a new Chair of Trustees to lead Small Steps at this critical and exciting time for our charity. We have just launched our new five year strategy which builds on our success while recognizing the need to adapt to an ever-changing world. We have a clear vision to maximise our impact by reaching as many children and families who need it most in the local area and beyond.
Trusteeships & Committees
N/A
Chair of Trustees - Recruitment Pack About Small Steps Small Steps provides practical and emotional support for young disabled children and their families in a warm and welcoming environment. We do this in two key ways: ○ We unlock new movement and communication skills in young disabled children at group sessions at our Centre in Richmond. ○ We connect and support families along their journey, building a community both on and offline. Our service is free to everyone. We provide help at a critical time in development Evidence shows that the time from birth and through the early years can be transformative to build new skills. This is particularly true for those with neurological conditions as their brain is still developing and their brains are more able to learn and adapt before the age of five. We support the whole family, building skills for a lifetime We provide a uniquely designed service that is rooted in the principles of conductive education. This means that our approach is based on the simple concept of human potential - that everyone has the capability to learn and develop irrespective of where they start. This approach means we help take on the barriers that disabled children face in society and deliver the service in a way that helps both the child and family take forward the therapy at home for years to come. Our service is free for everyone Far too often our families are spending these precious pre-school years having to navigate complex systems, local services and fund their own therapies. That's why we are so proud to have kept our service free for all children to access. We support nearly 100 families, but can do more There are 265 babies born with cerebral palsy in London alone each year. We're here for children who struggle to move whatever their diagnosis, supporting those with cerebral palsy and also those with genetic syndromes and others still waiting for diagnosis. However, we are looking to broaden access to our service and reach more children from minority communities. Read more about Small Steps: - Our website - Our five year strategy - Our 2024 Annual Report We are looking for a new Chair of Trustees to lead Small Steps at this critical and exciting time for our charity. We have just launched our new five year strategy which builds on our success while recognizing the need to adapt to an ever-changing world. We have a clear vision to maximise our impact by reaching as many children and families who need it most in the local area and beyond. Role of Chair of Trustees The Chair of Trustees leads the Board, ensuring effective governance of Small Steps in service of the charity’s vision, mission and strategy. The Board is currently made up of ten trustees who work across five subcommittees. The Chair plays a vital role in ensuring that the Small Steps leadership are supported by the Board to achieve their goals. The Chair is also an ambassador for the Charity. The Main Responsibilities of Chair are to: 1. Lead the Board to ensure strong governance, accountability, and strategic leadership. 2. Inspire, encourage and motivate the Trustees, drawing upon their experience and skills and maximising their contribution to Small Steps 3. Work in partnership with the Head of Small Steps, providing guidance and support to help them achieve Small Steps’ mission 4. Sponsor change and transformation, in-line with strategy, and build consensus at Board level 5. Foster a collaborative relationship between the Board, Head of Small Steps and its staff 6. Ensure that safeguarding measures are implemented across the charity 7. Oversee board meetings, facilitating productive discussions and informed decision-making 8. Represent the charity externally and strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders 9. Support financial oversight, ensuring sustainability and compliance Further: ● In close consultation with the Head of Small Steps, to make recommendations on the composition of the Board and future Chairs of said body (with a view to succession). ● Alongside the Board, work with the Head of Small Steps to recruit trustee/Directors with specific/relevant expertise, including selection and performance criteria. ● To ensure that the Board annually reviews its structure, role, relationship to staff and implements agreed changes as necessary. ● With the Head of Small Steps, to ensure that all trustees/Directors receive appropriate advice, training and information relating to their role. Meetings ● With the Head of Small Steps, to develop appropriate and relevant agendas for meetings. ● To chair meetings of the Board and ensure that the Board functions effectively and carries out its duties. ● To ensure that those decisions taken at meetings are implemented. General Management ● To ensure that the Board set strategy and policy objectives in the short, medium and long term in consultation with the Head of Small Steps and staff. ● To monitor progress of the organisation towards its objectives, ensuring that the right level of resource is secured to achieve those objectives. Financial Management ● With the Head of Small Steps, Business Manager, Treasurer & other trustees to set the financial strategy of the organisation and ensure it is adhered to. ● To ensure that the organisation's financial dealings are prudently and systematically accounted for, audited and publicly available. ● To ensure that, where appropriate, monies are invested to the greatest benefit of the organisation within the constraints of the law. Supporting the Executive team ● Support and mentor the Head of Small Steps, who reports directly to the Chair. ● To ensure that the organisation has appropriate procedures & policies ● To be part of recruitment for select senior staff, where relevant. ● To reflect to the Board any concerns staff have in regard to the role of the Board, its sub-committees or members and to relate the concerns of the Board to the Head of Small Steps ● In consultation with the Head of Small Steps, to agree an annual calendar of meetings of the Board and major events for the organisation. ● Through the Head of Small Steps to ensure regular communications between the Board and the staff group Promotion of the Organisation ● To serve as a key spokesperson and advocate of the charity. ● To promote the organisation to a wider audience of potential donors and beneficiaries. NOTE - Some of the duties listed above may be delegated to other trustees. What we are looking for ● Experience of being on a board, although you do not need to have Chair experience ● Good understanding of governance and the duties of trusteeship. ● Experience in Education, Health & Social Care or the voluntary sector is highly desirable but not essential. ● Excellent communication skills and the ability to influence and engage others whilst fostering a collaborative board environment. ● Experience leading organisation and/or teams through change and transformation is highly desirable. ● Commitment to our mission and ethos and passionate about our charity. ● We welcome applications from the communities we serve and we ask that applicants live in proximity to (i.e. can travel easily to) our centre in Richmond, Surrey. The commitment ● The Board of Trustees meet quarterly (in person and online). We ask that the Chair attends in person as much as possible to remain visible to the trustees and Small Steps leadership team. ● Attend local events in an ambassadorial role for the charity to promote the work of Small Steps and garner support. ● Board members are asked to commit time to read papers, and to share expertise when needed. ● Board members are also expected to sit on at least one of five committees that also meet quarterly: Finance, Fundraising, Personnel, Effective Provision, Premises. ● This is a voluntary unpaid role. Expenses will be reimbursed. Terms of Office Trustees are appointed for an initial term of two years. Two further terms of three years can follow, up to a maximum of eight years. Application Application is via CV and a covering letter to be sent to SmallStepsRecruitment@gmail.com. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, and at latest by 21st November 2025. The role may be closed sooner however if a suitable applicant is identified. If you are interested in applying, the incumbent Chair and other trustees would welcome a conversation with you beforehand to answer any questions. Small Steps SFP 17-19 Worple Way, Richmond, TW10 6DG Company Registration No 8353635 | Registered in England and Wales | Registered Charity No 1150651 Tel: 020 8704 5935 Email: info@smallsteps.org.uk www.smallsteps.org.uk
N/A
N/A
TW10 6DG
Small Steps, 17-19 Worple Way, Richmond, TW10 6DG
N/A
N/A
