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What Trustees do for Home-Start


What is a Home-Start Trustee?

A Home-Start Trustee is a volunteer who sits on the Trustee Board of a local Home-Start scheme. Each scheme is an independent charity and being a Trustee is all about the governance of that charity - making sure things are done, but not necessarily doing them.

Trustees are responsible for:
  • making the charity effective
  • providing overall direction
  • maintaining sound management of funds
Without volunteer Trustees Home-Start schemes couldn't function and both families and children wouldn't get the support they need.

Being a Trustee can be hard work, but it is also rewarding, giving many chances for personal development and the chance to give something back to your local community.


What does a Board of Trustees do?

The Board of Trustees is responsible for:
  • the scheme's vision
  • leading strategic direction
  • compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
  • the performance and quality of the scheme
  • ensuring that the scheme operates within the Home-Start Agreement
  • the scheme's property
  • financial management and security
  • good governance
  • the promotion of Home-Start
  • employing staff
Their job is to ensure that the resources in the chartiiy are used effectivelyto further the objects of Home-Start and for the purpose for which they were given.


How much of my time will it take?

Around eight to ten hours a month.

If you take on additional committments, as a chair or treasurer, you will probably increase the amount of time you spend on behalf of the scheme - but you will be supported all the way with full induction and training, the support of scheme staff, and ongoing training. You will also be supported by Home-Start UK, which exists to provide information, support and guidance to Home-Start schemes.