Trustee for National Charitable Provider of Social Care

Creative Support is a national social care and supported housing provider with charitable status. We offer high quality, personalised care and support services for younger adults and older people with a wide range of needs, including learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs and physical disabilities. We also deliver innovative preventative services for people at risk of homelessness and social exclusion. We support people to overcome challenges and live their best lives.

Creative Support is one of the largest not-for-profit providers of social care in the UK. We are proud to have been providing great services since 1991. We currently support over 6,000 people a year in 70 local authorities across England and employ around 5,000 dedicated staff. Creative Support has an annual turnover of over £160 million. We are registered as a provider of social housing, with a supported housing portfolio of over 1,000 homes. We own significant housing assets, all of which are dedicated to providing great homes for the people we support.

We have recently completed an extensive external governance review which concluded that ‘Creative Support is a high performing and effective organisation which is well led by the Board and the Executive.’ We are embarking on a new 3 year strategic plan to build on our success and further develop our activities.

We are now seeking to recruit new trustees to the Board. We are seeking well motivated people who have an enthusiasm for our work and can offer a commitment to our charitable purpose, person-centred values and to co-production with the people we support. We require trustees who can demonstrate vision, knowledge, skills and relevant experience. Prior experience in a trustee or governance role is not essential as we will provide personalised training as required.

We are particularly keen to attract applicants who have senior operational management experience in social care. We are also pleased to receive applications from people from other professional backgrounds or with personal or family experience of using support services and we welcome applications from people with transferable skills and experience gained in the charitable, public or private sectors.

You will contribute to the effective governance and oversight of our organisation and to developing our strategic direction. This will involve attending at least 6 evening Board meetings per annum (held bi-monthly), the Annual General Meeting and occasional planning days.

You will be expected to contribute to a committee relevant to your area of interest and expertise (currently these are Finance & Audit, Housing, People & Performance and Quality & Practice Development). Committee Meetings are also held bi-monthly. Board meetings are held in our Head Office in Stockport, situated close to the mainline train station, whilst committee meetings currently take place on-line.

You will be encouraged to attend events, visit services and to meet with our staff, our tenants and the people we support.

In return for your valuable time and expertise we can offer you the opportunity to enjoy a rewarding role and to contribute to the future success of a thriving national charitable social care organisation with a strong person-centred purpose and ethos.

Creative Support is an Investor in People ‘Gold’ employer and Stonewall Diversity Champion. We are a welcoming and inclusive organisation, committed to increasing the representation on the Board of people from BAME and LGBTQ+ groups and those with a disability. We have zero tolerance for racism and discrimination.

The role of trustee is a voluntary position for which we pay reasonable expenses. We also support trustees with induction and on-going training.

We can send you a copy of our most recent Annual Report & Accounts – please request this from Megan Mitchell (above) or consult the FCA Mutuals Website, type in Creative Support and search under ‘documents’. You will find all previous annual reports and accounts listed and these can be viewed or downloaded at no cost.

Please note that Creative Support is a Community Benefit Society with charitable status registered with the FCA, not a company or registered charity so you will not be able to access information about Creative Support via Companies House or the Charity Commission.

Applications will be considered when they are received.

To express your interest please send an introductory email or covering letter and CV to Hazel Beddows, Company Secretary Hazel.Beddows@creativesupport.co.uk

Please outline what you can bring to the board and the governance of our organisation, with reference to:

• Why you are interested in supporting Creative Support and joining our Board
• Your values and personal qualities and how these align with Creative Support
• Relevant knowledge, skills and experience
• Your ability to meet the demands of the role

For further information or to arrange a telephone discussion with the Chief Executive or Company Secretary please email Megan Mitchell, PA to the CEO Megan.Mitchell@creativesupport.co.uk

Our Mission
Creative Support promotes independence, inclusion, and wellbeing. We do this by working with the people we support, their families and others to meet individual needs and aspirations in a person-centred way. We provide high quality homes and support, enabling people to say:

• I live my best life in a place I call home
• I feel listened to, respected and valued
• I enjoy choices and rights and have control over my life
• I am supported to feel safe
• I am doing the things that matter to me
• I enjoy relationships with others
• I am connected to my community
• I am supported with my wellbeing
• I feel able to reach my full potential

We Care Values
Our We Care values underpin everything we do at Creative Support. We are:

Welcoming
Empowering
Compassionate
Aspirational
Respectful
Effective