THE ROLE OF TRUSTEES AT COMMUNITY FOSTER CARE
It’s a natural thing when discussing fostering with CFC for a lot of attention to be placed upon those whose amazing work is most visible. After all, how could we possibly hope to effectively spread the word about the impact of fostering without highlighting the very carers that are on the front lines and making a difference every day? However, like in any organisation, there are plenty of vital roles in the structure of our charity that also do incredibly vital work behind the scenes.
One of such roles is that of the trustees, whose contributions are essential in ensuring that CFC remains effective, accountable, and focussed on delivering high-quality support to our carers, staff and children. The work that they put in is important to us, and since we are a charity, they do it all on a purely voluntary basis!
Without our Trustees, we surely would not be able to achieve our mission of creating positive outcomes for our young people and families. That is why we’ve decided to acknowledge their efforts by explaining what goes into the role the trustees play through this blog post!
So, what do the trustees at Community Foster Care do?
They Set the Vision
One of the trustees’ key responsibilities is to help develop and approve the organisation’s strategic plans. By looking ahead and considering the needs of young people, carers, and families, trustees ensure that CFC continues to evolve and respond to the communities we serve.
They Offer Legal and Financial Oversight
Trustees have an important duty to make sure the charity operates legally, ethically, and sustainably. They oversee financial performance, monitor budgets, and ensure resources are used effectively so that we can continue delivering our services for years to come.
They Monitor Safeguarding and Quality Assurance
The safety and wellbeing of our young people are at the heart of everything we do, and the trustees are very much at the forefront of ensuring all considerations to this end are accounted for. Our trustees regularly review policies, procedures, and performance to ensure that safeguarding standards remain strong and that the quality of our services is consistently high.
They Champion Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Our trustees are committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion throughout the organisation. They help ensure that different perspectives are valued and that everyone can be heard and represented.
They Manage Risk and Ensure Accountability
Trustees help identify and manage risks that could affect the organisation, protecting both CFC’s reputation and its future. They also monitor progress against objectives, ensuring the charity remains accountable for the impact it delivers.
The trustees also attend and contribute to three whole Trustee Board meetings each year, where key decisions about strategy, performance, and governance are made.
In addition, trustees participate in and often chair one of our specialist subgroup committees:
POPS Committee (Promoting good Outcomes, People and Safeguarding)
Finance Committee
FQAG (Fostering Quality Assurance Group)
These committees provide more detailed oversight and support in specific areas of the organisation.
Being a trustee at CFC is about much more than governance, though that naturally is a part of their core function. They also regularly attend training alongside staff and foster carers, helping them stay informed about developments in fostering and the challenges facing the sector.
On top of all these official responsibilities, our trustees show presence in the wider life of CFC community by attending events and activities. Whether it's joining us at the annual Summer BBQ, supporting young people’s activities, attending residential trips, or helping with community recruitment events, trustees play an active role in the CFC community.
Trustees don't work alone. They work closely with the Chief Executive, staff, carers, and committee members to ensure Community Foster Care remains transparent, effective, and focused improving the lives of young people and families.
Their dedication, expertise, and commitment help make CFC the organisation it is today, and we are incredibly grateful for the time and energy they give to supporting our work.
If you’d like to put some faces to the names of our amazing Trustees, you can find them in the Our People page of this website!
