Welcome

Thank you for your interest in joining us at The Disabilities Trust.

The Disabilities Trust has been at the forefront of driving inclusion for 40 years, ensuring that people with disabilities get the support they need and that the Trust is a place where everyone can find their place and have their voices heard. The Disabilities Trust and is a leading national charity, providing innovative rehabilitation, care and support for people with complex physical disabilities, acquired brain injury and for adults and children with autism and learning disabilities. People are at the core of our work, and our services across the UK include purpose-built residential accommodation, community-based housing, respite care, special education and community enabling services to maximise each individual’s independence.

The current operating environment is extremely tough and we are working hard as a Board, together with the Senior Leadership team, to refine our strategy and ensure that we can continue to provide tireless support to the hundreds of people that rely on us every day.  We are determined that people should be able to lead their best lives and we are proud that 95% of our services are rated ‘good’ or higher by the Care Quality Commission (or its equivalent in Wales and Scotland).  Although this is impressive (and higher than is generally achieved across our sector), it is not enough. This is an exciting time to join a refreshed Board of Trustees, and an organisation which is undergoing transformation to increase its impact.

I retire as Chair later this year having served three terms and we are seeking to appoint a new Chair to lead an exceptional, committed and values-driven Board full of intellectual versatility, energy and integrity. As Chair, you will provide leadership to the Board (as the highest decision-making body within the Trust) be focused on governance and strategy and will also want to create situations that encourage your colleagues to succeed.  You will take the lead to inspire an exciting and inclusive debate, and you will possess empathy, emotional intelligence and first-rate influencing skills. You will be a persuasive and natural communicator with the ability to listen and engage effectively. You will have a strong interest in supporting people with disabilities and most importantly, you will be passionate about the work of the Trust.

This is an unremunerated appointment, despite which you will be fully committed to the Trust and be willing to invest as much of your time as is necessary to ensure the Trust thrives. It is a heavy commitment and certainly not for the faint hearted, but as an established, successful leader in your field, you will recognise and embrace the challenge.  That said, it is also an incredibly rewarding experience.

If you have what it takes to lead a Board and you are excited by the opportunity to make a difference, please take a look at the information in this pack and speak with Green Park who will tell you more about our work.

The Disabilities Trust is an inclusive organisation where everyone is welcome.  Thank you for your interest – I look forward to meeting you.

Steve Howell, Chair

The Disabilities Trust is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive organisation.  It’s a place where we recognise, celebrate and live our values which includes offering a range of inclusive employment policies and staff engagement forums to support employees from all backgrounds.  We welcome candidates who can contribute greater diversity of representation and thinking to our Board and be fully aligned to our vision and values of TDT.