• Flexible

Every year, 4,693 young adults in the UK hear the words "you have cancer." At a time when young adult life should be just starting, life stops in its tracks for months and often for years. The Ella Dawson Foundation exists to provide free, timely life-changing support across mental health, physical rehabilitation, nutrition and wellbeing to young adults aged 18–30 living with and beyond cancer, and to their families and carers.

Our work is informed by lived experience and driven by our mission: that every young adult with cancer, and their families and carers, has the tools and support they need to live well and feel empowered.

Since launching in 2022, we have supported over 2,700 young people across 105 NHS hospitals nationwide. We are a fast-growing, mission-led charity at a genuinely exciting moment in our development — and our Trustee Board plays a central role in helping us go further.

Role Title: Trustee with Safeguarding Expertise

Location: Remote -4 meetings per year - 3 virtual, 1 in-person.

Time Commitment: 4 x 2-hour Board meetings per year, plus occasional ad hoc support

Role Purpose

This is one of the most critical roles on our Board. The young people the Ella Dawson Foundation supports are at some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. As our Safeguarding Trustee, you will champion a culture of safety and wellbeing from the very top of the organisation ensuring every person we work with is protected, valued and cared for.

You will provide Board-level oversight of our safeguarding framework, support our Designated Safeguarding Lead, and help us grow with the confidence and integrity our community deserves.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the Board's lead for safeguarding, ensuring policies and practices meet the highest standards
• Provide oversight of the charity’s safeguarding procedures, frameworks and reporting
• Support and work closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
• Ensure the Charity’s safeguarding practice complies with statutory guidance and regulatory requirements
• Champion safeguarding as a strategic priority embedding a culture of safety across the whole organisation
• Lead periodic safeguarding reviews and ensure learning is acted upon
• Advise the Board on safeguarding risks, incidents and developments in legislation or best practice
• Attend 4 Board meetings per year (3 virtual, 1 in-person) and provide ad hoc support as needed

Person Specification

Essential:

• Significant experience in safeguarding within social work, health, education, children's services or adult services
• Strong working knowledge of safeguarding legislation and best practice frameworks, such as Working Together to Safeguard Children and/or The Care Act
• Ability to engage confidently with senior leaders and fellow trustees on complex safeguarding matters
• Experience of developing, reviewing or overseeing safeguarding policies and procedures
• Genuine passion for protecting vulnerable people and making a difference
• Commitment to the role, availability for meetings and reasonable ad hoc requests

Desirable:

• Experience of safeguarding within a health, cancer care or young people's charity context
• Knowledge of GDPR and data protection as it relates to safeguarding
• Previous trustee, Non Executive Director or senior leadership experience

Why Join Us?

We are a young, dynamic and rapidly growing charity delivering life-changing impact for young adults with cancer and their families and carers. As a Trustee, you will be part of a fabulous, committed and passionate Board at the heart of our most exciting chapter yet.

• Be part of one of a rapidly growing and exciting
• See the direct impact of your expertise on young people's lives
• Help shape the strategic direction of an ambitious, mission-led organisation
• Join a warm, values-driven and supportive Trustee Board

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are particularly keen to hear from individuals from underrepresented communities. No prior trustee experience is necessary, a full induction and ongoing support will be provided. Reasonble expenses reimbursed.

We look forward to hearing from you!

The Ella Dawson Foundation

• Finance/Trustee

• Application form required
• References required
• DBS (criminal record check that the organisation will organise)

03/07/2026