Our Trustees

Our Trustee Board is ultimately responsible for the governance of the organisation. It is made up of a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 14 people. Trustees are required collectively to:

• ensure that our activities are in accordance with English company, charity and employment law and its charitable objectives, as set out in The Children's Society governing document (the Memorandum & Articles or Association)
• agree our vision, mission and values
• ensure that our values are maintained
• approve our budgets and monitor information about our financial and operational performance
• take ultimate responsibility for our organisational strategy.

How does the Trustee Board operate?

The Trustee Board meet six times a year. As part of our commitment to the participation of children and young people, a group of young people regularly attend these meetings. They are encouraged to offer their perspective on the matters considered by the Trustees and their contributions have equal status to those of our management team.

The Trustee Board has delegated some of its areas of responsibility to various sub committees, including our finance and standards committees. These committees have oversight over particular aspects of our operations, and their membership may include both Trustees and non-Trustees. Non-Trustees are invited to become committee members by the Chairman of the relevant committee. Committee members are selected on the basis of their specific skills and experience and the work of the committees is informed by input from senior management and other staff members.

The Standards Committee meets four times a year and is primarily responsible for the monitoring and review of our direct work with children and young people. It also ensures statutory requirements and quality standards are met.

The Finance Committee convenes eight times a year and reviews the financial aspects of our business plans and budgets, and monitors performance against them. It is also responsible for audit and remuneration, and has oversight of personnel matters.