Overview
We’re looking for people who share our values of compassion, accountability and optimism to help us provide high quality care for the patients, carers, families and communities we serve. We specialise in NHS mental health and learning disability services and we’re proud to make a difference every day. At SPFT we put people first. We’ll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. You’ll have opportunities to learn, grow and gain new experiences to support your career, with access to lifelong learning and professional development. We actively promote flexible working and understand how important work life balance is, especially in healthcare. Whether it’s part time hours, hybrid working or flexible start and finish times, we’ll explore what works for you and the role.
We recognise that AI is becoming part of daily life and you may choose to use it to help prepare your application. We welcome innovation but ask that anything you submit reflects your own abilities, experience and voice. AI can support how you describe your skills and experience, but it should never replace your own words as we want to get to know you.
Role and Responsibilities
The role supports the Head of Corporate Governance in ensuring effective corporate, board and committee governance across the Trust. It involves coordinating and administering Board of Directors, Council of Governors and committee meetings; drafting reports and taking high-quality minutes; supporting elections, the Annual Members Meeting and Governor development; and acting as a key communication link between the Trust, Governors and members. The postholder maintains governance frameworks, policies and records, ensures compliance with statutory, constitutional and regulatory requirements, manages policy systems and publications, supports Non-Executive Director recruitment and induction, and contributes to statutory reporting, audits and inspections. The role also provides broader governance support, including data analysis, action tracking and the delivery of complex governance activities as required. The post holder will coordinate Board meetings by arranging venues, refreshments and equipment, and draft reports for consideration by the Board as required.
* Support the team in ensuring that the Trust Corporate Governance function is performed to the highest standards in accordance with statutory and legislative requirements.
* Be responsible for ensuring the Board, its Committees (as determined) and Council of Governors and its Committees are appropriately administrated.
* Be the primary contact point for the Council of Governors, ensuring information flows and communications are appropriately dealt with.
Governance Areas
Governors, Membership and Council: The postholder supports the coordination and administration of the Council of Governors, including meeting logistics, training arrangements and the delivery of a Governor Development Programme. The role will involve maintaining governance processes and documentation such as terms of office, fit and proper person records, induction materials and the membership database. Acting as the main communication link between the Trust, Governors and members, the role also involves drafting reports for the Council and managing Governors’ expenses related to Trust business.
* Elections and Annual Members Meeting (AMM): The role supports the administration of Governor elections as vacancies arise, including planning, delivery and induction processes. It also assists with organising and administering the Annual Members Meeting, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and the Trust’s constitution.
* Board Committee Governance: This area focuses on supporting Board Committees through meeting preparation, execution and follow-up. Responsibilities include liaising with Chairs and executive sponsors, drafting committee reports and reviews, maintaining attendance records, managing annual cycles of business, and taking high-quality minutes. The role ensures meetings comply with governance requirements, supports committee effectiveness reviews, tracks actions arising from meetings and audits, and provides governance advice to Chairs and members.
Policy and Compliance
Governance Frameworks, Policy and Systems: The postholder will support maintaining the Trust’s Policy Index and overseeing robust systems for policy management, review and publication. This includes supporting departments with policy development, ensuring alignment with NHS guidance, auditing policies for accuracy and relevance, archiving superseded documents, and preparing policy reports. The role also supports external inspections and audits by ensuring policies are current, accessible and compliant.
* Statutory Reporting and Corporate Compliance: The role manages the safe custody and appropriate use of the Trust Seal and supports statutory and corporate reporting through data collection, analysis and publication. Responsibilities include maintaining governance content on the Trust website, supporting the induction and recruitment of Non-Executive Directors, contributing to audits and statutory returns, and delivering complex governance activities as required. The postholder also undertakes additional duties in support of the Head of Corporate Governance, as appropriate to the role.
Diversity, Safeguarding and Eligibility
SPFT is committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We particularly welcome applications from people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and from disabled candidates, as these groups are currently underrepresented.
Successful candidates are normally appointed to the bottom of the pay scale unless previous NHS experience in a similar role can be evidenced.
SPFT takes its responsibilities for safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk very seriously. We expect all staff and bank workers to share this commitment and complete the relevant safeguarding training for their role.
About SPFT
We provide specialist NHS mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services and care for people of all ages at home, in hospital and through our community services in Sussex.
Join Sussex Partnership and you’ll be part of an NHS trust that allows you to thrive and, in turn, thrives because of you. We believe in the vibrancy of our fantastic people. And how that leads to even better support for the people who use our services.
We offer a wide range of rewards and benefits to our staff. Here are some of the perks that make working at Sussex Partnership a great choice. Read about our vision and values which underpin everything we do, and what how we are investing in workforce so that we are best placed to respond to the needs of our communities.
How to Apply and Additional Information
We recognise that AI is becoming part of daily life and you may choose to use it to help prepare your application. AI can support how you describe your skills and experience, but it should never replace your own words as we want to get to know you. If you are unsure about anything in this description, please contact the recruitment team for clarification.
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