dcrs 110224 advertising documents

8/7/2019 DCRS 110224 Advertising Documents

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Devon & Cornwall Refugee SupportA Private Company Limited by Guarantee

7, Whimple Street, Plymouth, PL1 2DH

Tel: 01752 265952

Fax: 0870 762 6228

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://dcrsc1.cfsites.org

DEVON & CORNWALL REFUGEE SUPPORT

INTRODUCTION

Devon & Cornwall Refugee Support (DCRS) aims to build a practical support system for Asylum

Seekers and Refugees in rebuilding their lives and to ensure that they benefit from their legal rights

by using all the services available to them.

DCRS has served the needs of the Asylum Seeker and Refugee (ASR) community since 1999 when

the Home Office first dispersed ASRs to the Plymouth area. DCRS assists this vulnerable community,

many of whom do not speak English, by helping them access local services, integrate into the

community, lead a fulfilling life and address issues relating to accommodation, health, benefits,

isolation and all aspects of everyday life

With an estimated 800 ASRs already in Plymouth and approximately 200-250 being dispersed each

year, DCRS provides help through a team of paid and volunteer caseworkers supported by over 40

other volunteers. Services include casework based problem resolution, help in accessing education,health and fitness programmes, food and clothes programmes for the destitute, an internet suite

to help ASRs keep in touch with their family and research their cases, a safe social space for ASRs to

meet and relax, and in some cases simply a supportive and friendly ear. All of this is provided via a

well established walk-in centre in central Plymouth. DCRS is regulated by the Office of the

Immigration Commissioner [OISC] and operates at level 1 of its procedures.

DCRS wish to recruit additional Trustees to their Board and this document has been prepared to

provide candidates with some initial information.

STATUTORY TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES

Trustees have and must accept ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of a charity,

controlling the management and affairs of the company, and ensuring that it is solvent, well run,

and delivering the charitable outcomes for the benefit of the public for which it has been set up.


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There are three basis responsibilities compliance, duty of prudence and duty of care:

COMPLIANCE Trustees must:

Ensure that the charity complies with charity law, and with the requirements of the Charity

Commission as regulator; in particular ensure that the charity prepares reports on what it hasachieved and Annual Returns and accounts as required by law.

Ensure that the charity does not breach any of the requirements or rules set out in its governing

document and that it remains true to the charitable purpose and objects set out there.

Comply with the requirements of other legislation and other regulators (including for DCRS the

Companies Act and the Office of The Immigration Services Commissioner) which govern the

activities of the charity.

Act with integrity, and avoid any personal conflicts of interest or misuse of charity funds or assets.

DUTY OF PRUDENCE Trustees must:

Ensure that the charity is and will remain solvent.

Use charitable funds and assets reasonably, and only in furtherance of the charitys objects.

Avoid undertaking activities that might place the charitys endowment, funds, assets or reputation

at undue risk.

Take special care when investing the funds of the charity, or borrowing funds for the charitys use.

DUTY OF CARE Trustees must:

Use reasonable care and skill in their work as Trustees, using their personal skills and expertise as

needed to ensure that the charity is well-run and efficient.

Consider getting external professional advice on all matters where there may be material risk to

the charity, or where the Trustees may be in breach of their duties.

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DCRS SPECIFIC TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES

Set, monitor and sustain the strategic vision, mission, values and policies for DCRS and ensure that

it pursues its objectives in keeping within these strategic directions.

With other Trustees, ensure that the organisation functions efficiently and effectively within the

legal, charitable and financial requirements of a charitable organisation and strives to achieve best

practice

Attend meetings of the Board of Trustees and, working collectively, help the Board of Trustees to

reach sound decisions at formal board meetings - Using any specific skills, knowledge and

experience, leading and initiating discussions and provide advice and guidance on new initiatives

Provide good leadership by working effectively both as an individual and as part of a team and by

being open, accountable and avoiding conflicts of interest.

Avoid, where possible, becoming too involved in day to day operation, when acting in a Trustee

role

Chair or attend external meetings, as required, as a representative of our organisation

RESPONSIBILITIES IN A VOLUNTEER ROLE

DCRS currently employ 7 staff and work with more than 40 volunteers in the conduct of its

activities. It is possible for Trustees who wish to get involved operationally as one of these

Volunteers to do so. This is encouraged but not mandatory. In this role they are operating as

Volunteers and not Trustees and are responsible through their line manager for the role they

undertake (staff or Volunteer) to the Board.

At present, in the absence of funding for paid positions, Trustees also perform three part-time

roles as Line Manager reporting directly to the Board:

Human Resource Manager: managing all Human Resource activities relating to staff and volunteers,

including employment, policies, health and safety, welfare and expenses

Finance Manager: managing the Admin Officer to complete all financial, management and funding

accounting aspects

Operations Manager: managing the admin officer to complete all aspects of operational

management, including premises, equipment, utilities and insurance.

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PERSON SPECIFICATION

DCRS Trustees will first and foremost be leaders with commitment and empathy to the aims and

objectives of DCRS. They will also require:

Demonstrable relevant skills and experience, and a willingness to devote the time and effort to

operate effectively at Board level

An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of being a

Trustee

Strategic vision, coupled with good, independent judgement and an ability to think creatively.

An ability to work effectively as a member of a team, while contributing an independent

perspective.

A demonstrable commitment to DCRS values: diversity, fairness, selflessness, integrity,

objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

DCRS will be particularly interested in applicants who can show in depth experience in one or more

of the following areas: HR and volunteer management, financial management, fund raising,

operations management, legal and/or company secretarial

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

It is a condition of appointment that Trustees work as a member of the Board in a manner that

promotes compliance with the Articles of Association of DCRS and adheres to both the General and

Specific Trustee Responsibilities set out above. Trustee appointments will also be reviewed against

Section 21 of the Articles, and newly inducted Trustees should intend to serve for at least 3 years.

New Trustees will additionally be appointed on a one year probationary period. At the end of this

period removal would be exceptional and require the unanimous agreement of all other Trustees

who are non-probationary.

Trustees will be required to attend at least 9 meetings of the Board a year in Plymouth. They will

also be required to attend further meetings and events as agreed, including interim subcommittee

meetings. You must therefore be able to commit approximately a day a month, although much ofthis can be remotely with communication by email and phone.

DCRS is committed to supporting its Trustees and provides a thorough induction to the

organisation and role. You will be expected to attend training events relevant to the role, as

necessary.

Whilst the role is unpaid, reasonable expenses are payable in line with DCRSs standard expenses

policy up to a maximum of 5 travelling expenses to attend a Board meeting. Existing Trustees

tend not to claim expenses or, if they do, they donate it back to the organisation, although clearly

this is completely voluntary


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All Trustees will be expected to sign up to DCRS Trustee Code of Conduct governing how we wish to relate

both to the outside world and internally to each other.

DCRS is required to conduct necessary checks on prospective Trustees to ensure eligibility eg CRB checks.

All Trustees will be required to agree to this and to sign a declaration that they are not disqualified. Some

people are disqualified from participating as a Trustee. These can include:

An unspent conviction for an offence through deception or dishonesty.An un-discharged bankrupt.Anyone who has been removed from a Trusteeship of a charity by the Courts or Charity

Commission.

February 2011