SHiFT

SHiFT exists to break the destructive cycle of children caught up in, or at risk of, crime. We work with children and young people up to the age of 25 for whom things are getting worse, not better, and who would benefit most from an intensive, therapeutic relationship. We start from wherever a young person is, working with them, their family, friends, and developing high trust, strengths-driven, persistent professional relationships that catalyse pro-social change. We are keenly aware of the over-representation of children who are Black, Brown and Mixed Heritage within the youth justice system. Anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice is therefore central to all our work.

This is a critical time for SHiFT. In the wider external environment, including the work of the Commission on Young Lives and the findings and proposals from the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, there remain urgent calls to action for programmes that will break the cycle of children and young people caught up in, or at risk of, crime. As SHiFT comes to the end of its first strategy and looks ahead to developing a new strategy from 2025, we are now looking for outstanding candidates to join our board of trustees as Chair.

Our next Chair will build and maintain successful relationships with the diverse stakeholder group critical to the success of the organisation, ensuring that our ambitions and vision are effectively implemented with a core focus on impact. They will support our Chief Executive in her role and ensure the board is well run and the charity is operating within its charitable objectives. Candidates should bring outstanding leadership skills, a rolled-up sleeves and get things done at pace attitude, and the ability to act as a compelling ambassador for SHiFT. It is critical that candidates are personally motivated by our vision and mission and motivated to help us change systems and impact children and young people’s lives.

The time commitment for this role is envisaged to be between two and three days per month. Reflecting the diverse communities that SHiFT is proud to support and our work as an anti-racist organisation, we are committed to finding a Chair who is dedicated to furthering diversity and inclusion within the charity. We actively and warmly encourage applications therefore from a broad and deep range of backgrounds and experiences.

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to SHiFT on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference ZBQSA. Alternatively telephone +44 (0)20 7227 0880 (during office hours). Applications should be received by noon on Thursday 11 April 2024.