Lay Trustee for UKCP
The UK Council for Psychotherapy exists to promote the profession of psychotherapy and the
highest standards of its practice in the United Kingdom.
UKCP is seeking a lay person to join our Board of Trustees, which has overall governance
responsibility for the charity. We are seeking individuals who are not UKCP members or
employees, and are not from a health or psychological profession. Please see details under
‘Role Description and Person Specification’ below, starting on page 2.
As part of our aim of increasing diversity and improving equality and diversity practice within
the profession, UKCP is seeking to increase the diversity of its Board members. We would
therefore welcome applications from under-represented and disadvantaged groups
including people from black and minority ethnic communities, people with disabilities and
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
To apply: please email your CV and a covering letter outlining any relevant skills and experience
you have to Alex Crawford [email protected] or by post to:
Alex Crawford, Governance Officer
UKCP
Edward House, 2nd Floor
2 Wakley Street
London EC1V 7LT
Deadline for applications is midday on Monday 17 July 2017
Interviews will be held on either Friday 11 or Friday 25 August 2017
Time Commitment
The Board of Trustees meet quarterly. The meetings require a full day in London (on a Friday
or Saturday) as well as preparation time. Trustees are expected to attend each Board
meeting and are also expected to engage in communications between Board members
(primarily by email) as required.
Expenses
Trustees will be reimbursed for their expenses for travel and accommodation incurred in
carrying out their duties. Trustees are not otherwise compensated for their service under
charities and companies law.
UKCP Lay Trustee 2017
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Board of Trustees Meeting dates for 2017 / 2018
Board of Trustees meeting
Saturday 23 September 2017
London location to be confirmed
Board of Trustees meeting
Friday 26 January 2018
London location to be confirmed
Board of Trustees ‘Away Day’
Friday 20 April 2018 Meeting & evening dinner, Saturday 21 April Strategy discussion
London location to be confirmed
Board of Trustees meeting
Friday 13 July 2018
London location to be confirmed
Board of Trustees meeting
Saturday 22 September 2018
London location to be confirmed
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Trustee Role Description and Person Specification
Aims
Trustees are responsible for ensuring the efficient running and continued development of
the Charity consistent with its charitable objects.
Key Responsibilities and Duties
Trustees are expected to:

Act in the best interests of the charity at all times, and to the benefit of present and
future beneficiaries, in accordance with the charity’s governing document;
Trustees are expected to:
Strategic Direction

Agree the strategic direction of the charity based upon input from the charity’s
members;

Ensure that risks to the charity and its assets are identified and appropriate steps
established to mitigate against those risks;

Review evaluation and forward planning systems and agree priorities and targets for
the coming period

Review and agree the Charity’s Business Plan

Enhance and develop the UKCP diversity and equalities strategic direction
Finance and Management

Act to protect the charity’s property and resources; including having effective
financial control systems in place, handling reserves, investments and endowments
appropriately, setting and monitoring of annual budgets, and fundraising and
planning for the future financial needs of the charity.

Take responsibility for the appointment and ongoing management of the Chief
Executive, and behave responsibly when delegating duties and powers to such a
paid officer
UKCP Lay Trustee 2017
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Conflict of Interest

Not personally profit from their position (reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
is a reasonable entitlement) unless relevant permission has been gained from the
Charity Commission, or the charity’s governing document gives express permission.

Declare any other personal, family, or professional conflicts of interest that might
give cause to question their handling of the charity’s business.
Board Effectiveness

Review the operation of the Board of Trustees, its sub-committees, skills base,
recruitment plans etc.

Ensure the Board effectively engages with equalities and diversity considerations

Take specialist advice on matters outside the expertise of the Board of Trustees
Compliance and Records

Ensure that appropriate records are kept relating to meetings, accounts and
financial matters and ensure that they are audited/independently examined
accordingly.

Comply with any other legal or regulatory requirements relevant to their charity’s
activities

Comply with best practice in equalities and diversities
Directors’ Duties
UKCP Trustees are also Directors under companies’ law. Under the Companies Act 2006,
there are specific legal duties placed upon company directors. These impose additional
duties to fulfil:
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
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Duty to act within powers;
Duty to promote the success of the company;
Duty to exercise independent judgment;
Duty to exercise reasonable care, skill and diligence;
Duty to avoid conflicts of interest;
Duty not to accept benefits from third parties; and
Duty to declare interest in proposed transaction or agreement.
Candidates are expected to fulfil the following criteria:
Essential

Experience of committee work

Interest in, and understanding of, psychotherapy or a psychotherapeutic practice or
endeavour

Awareness and understanding of key social and cultural issues and an ability to work
with these

Ability to attend Board meetings (quarterly, typically one working day plus
preparation) and 2 other events per year
Desirable

Experience of charity work

Experience of sitting on a Board of Trustees

Experience of governance work

An understanding and awareness of diversity issues

Ability to attend Board sub-committees and working group meetings, conferences
and key events run by the Charity
UKCP Lay Trustee 2017
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Trustee Liability
Trustees are individually and jointly liable for any consequences arising out of a breach of
trust. Trustees must make decisions collectively, but are both jointly and severally liable.
However, trustees are not liable for their actions if acting in good faith in performance of
their duties. It is therefore important that trustees primarily act in line with their governing
document, the legal and regulatory framework and seek professional and other appropriate
guidance on those situations that are beyond the reasonable knowledge and competence of
the Board.
UKCP Lay Trustee 2017
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