Trustee of the National Youth Agency & Chair of Education & Training Standards Committee

Responsibilities

Responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the charity is delegated to Leigh Middleton, our Chief Executive, who reports to the Trustees on a regular basis. Trustees are collectively responsible for:

Ensuring that the governance arrangements are working in the most effective way for the charity
Developing the knowledge and capability of the Board of Trustees
Encouraging positive change where appropriate
Showing commitment to diversity and inclusion
Ensuring that the Board of Trustees is regularly refreshed and incorporates the right balance of skills, knowledge and experience needed to govern and lead the charity effectively
Working within any agreed policies adopted by the charity
Acting as an ambassador for the charity
Maintaining relationships with government departments, agencies and other key influencers
Keeping informed about NYA’s work, and wider issues that affect the organisation

Role of the Chair of ETS

Oversee the work of National Youth Agency in setting and maintaining exemplary standards for youth work qualifications and training routes in England to ensure we have a competent, qualified, and skilled workforce for the benefit of improving the lives of young people. To respond to emerging needs for maintaining an appropriately skilled and qualified youth work. Specifically to:

Chair meetings of ETS (currently 4 per year) and have oversight of the work of the committee and wider workforce development processes
Participate in working groups of ETS as appropriate
Work closely with staff at NYA especially the Head of Workforce Development and Training and the Education & Training Standards Officer to plan meetings and progress ETS areas of work between committee meetings
Chair validation events for universities and partners seeking validation/revalidation for youth work qualifications, as part of the rota for ETS members
Attend regular meetings with the Awarding Organisations Consortium
Ensure ETS England is represented at Joint ETS (England, Scotland, Wales and NI)
Report regularly to the NYA Board of Trustees on ETS activity
With the appropriate NYA Officers, report annually on developments regarding qualifications
Represent ETS as required at relevant forums and partner organisations.
Ensure that the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion are embedded through all processes of ETS

Skills, knowledge, and experience required

You will have a passion for NYA’s mission and vision ensuring that as a trustee, you fulfil your duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the charity. As a Trustee you will also provide support and present challenges where necessary, working alongside the Board to ensure it functions as unit and to achieve agreed objectives. You will act as an ambassador and represent the charity.

Thorough understanding of the National Occupational Standards and qualifications framework, and how these relate to workforce development, professional pathways, and quality assurance
Demonstrates a strong passion for young people and youth work, with a clear commitment to workforce and skills development, and to strengthening the profession within its wider social and policy context.
Ability to build positive relationships with a range of key partners and work collaboratively to take forward actions to support good quality youth work practice
Ability to work with colleagues to make informed and consistent judgements in relation to validation of qualification programmes
Knowledge and understanding of the current youth work sector in England and its needs in relation to workforce development and qualifications
Experience of being a board member
Experience of raising standards and assessing quality
Experience of chairing meetings and achieving compromise
The ability to think strategically and challenge constructively
A commitment to NYA’s charitable aims and vision
An understanding of, and commitment to, the values of accountability, probity and openness
The ability to ask probing questions in a constructive way
Undisputed personal integrity and personal credibility
A willingness to devote the time and effort required to effectively discharge the duties of this role

Time commitment

The Trustee Board meets approximately 4x per year.
The ETS Committee meets approximately 4x per year.
In addition to above meetings, a commitment equating to approximately 10 days’ worth of time will be required (not necessarily full day commitments – this is the total time commitment)

Conflict of interest

All candidates will be asked to disclose any actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest, and these will be discussed with the candidate to establish whether and what action is needed to avoid a conflict or the perception of a conflict.

Terms of appointment

An offer of appointment will be made once all candidates have been interviewed and will be subject to satisfactory completion of eligibility checks, including reference checks. If you are offered an appointment you will receive a detailed summary of your main terms and conditions. Terms of appointment are a minimum of three years and may be re-appointed for a further term.

Location

ETS and board meetings alternate between in person and on-line. In-person meetings happen most frequently in London, Birmingham or Manchester. We will continue to offer the option to join virtually to ensure the meetings are accessible for everyone.

Renumeration

The role of Trustee and Chair of the ETS Committee is unremunerated, although expenses for travel and other pre-agreed items may be claimed.

Safeguarding

The Trustee is subject to the provision of all child protection legislation, and all policies governing staff that work with children and adults at risk.

Deadline & interview dates

Deadline for applications

*Deadline extended to 5.00pm on 17th November 2025*

Interview dates

TPP interviews

w/c 17th November

NYA interviews 1st and 2nd stage

1st stage: w/c 27th November

potential 2nd stage: w/c 1st December

Offer and confirmation

w/c 1st December