ADEEAR-L SAFEGUARDING TRUSTEE

About ADEEAR-L (Accessibility by Default in Education and Economic Inclusion Advocacy Rights by Lukwago) is currently in the process of becoming formally established as a not-for-profit organisation in Ireland. As an emerging initiative with a broader European and international vision, ADEEAR-L is currently seeking founding/proposed Directors (Trustees) to help establish its governance structure, guide its development and support the organisation in achieving its long-term mission.

ADEEAR-L is an advocacy, accessibility and inclusion initiative focused on advancing Accessibility by Default in education, employment, public services and wider society, while promoting economic inclusion and equal participation.

ADEEAR-L seeks to advance equality, accessibility and economic inclusion for people experiencing sensory accessibility barriers. It advocates for systems in which sensory accessibility is built into education, employment, public services and economic opportunities as a standard, rather than being dependent primarily on individual disclosure and reactive reasonable accommodation.

ADEEAR-L General Trustee Duties.

Collective responsibility for the governance and oversight.

• Complying with ADEEAR-L governing document.
• Ensuring ADEEAR-L is pursuing its charitable purpose for the public benefit.
• Acting in the best interests of ADEEAR-L
• Acting with reasonable care and skill.
• Managing and protecting the assets and resources of ADEEAR-L responsibly.

The Role and Key Responsibilities

ADEEAR-L is seeking a Safeguarding Trustee with relevant knowledge, experience or professional expertise in safeguarding to provide Board-level oversight of safeguarding and help ensure that appropriate safeguarding policies, procedures, systems and risk-management arrangements are established as ADEEAR-L develops.

The role will help ensure that safeguarding is embedded into ADEEAR-L's governance, activities, partnerships and interactions with the people and communities it serves.

Key Responsibilities

• Bring relevant professional, voluntary or governance experience in safeguarding.
• Advise the Board on safeguarding responsibilities, good practice, policies and procedures.
• Support the development, implementation and regular review of ADEEAR-L’s safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Help ensure safeguarding is appropriately considered when ADEEAR-L develops programmes, projects, events, campaigns and other activities.
• Support the identification, assessment and management of safeguarding risks within the organisation.
•  Advise the Board on appropriate safeguarding reporting, recording, escalation and referral procedures.
• Help ensure Trustees, volunteers and relevant personnel understand their safeguarding responsibilities and appropriate professional boundaries.
• Promote a strong culture of safeguarding, dignity, respect, inclusion and safety throughout ADEEAR-L.
• Advise on appropriate safeguarding considerations when ADEEAR-L works with external organisations, partners, volunteers, service providers or other stakeholders.
• Support ADEEAR-L in ensuring safeguarding arrangements remain appropriate as the organisation grows and its activities develop.
• Help identify safeguarding training and awareness needs and recommend appropriate training or resources where necessary.
• Provide appropriate ADEEAR-L advice on safeguarding concerns, while ensuring that matters requiring specialist or statutory intervention are dealt with through the appropriate procedures and authorities.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality and professional boundaries when dealing with safeguarding-related information.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Professional and voluntary experience in safeguarding.
• Knowledge of safeguarding policies, procedures and good practice.
• Experience in developing, reviewing or implementing safeguarding policies.
• Understanding of safeguarding risk assessment and risk management.
• Knowledge of appropriate safeguarding reporting and escalation procedures.
• Experience in education, social care, community services, youth work, disability services, accessibility, healthcare, charities or another relevant sector.
• Understanding of professional boundaries and appropriate conduct.
• Strong understanding of confidentiality and responsible information handling.
• Ability to identify potential safeguarding risks and advise ADEEAR-L appropriately.
• Ability to provide clear, practical and proportionate safeguarding advice.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good judgement, integrity and discretion.
• Ability to work collaboratively with Trustees, volunteers and external professionals.
• Understanding of equality, dignity, inclusion and the protection of vulnerable people.
• Commitment to creating safe, respectful and inclusive environments.
• Ability to distinguish between Board-level safeguarding oversight and operational responsibilities.
• Experience of safeguarding governance within a not-for-profit or community organisation would be advantageous.

Previous charity Board experience is desirable. Relevant professional, voluntary, community or governance experience will be considered.

Commitment

Reasonable preparation and occasional safeguarding-related input between meetings. Additional involvement may be required when safeguarding policies are being developed or reviewed, or where safeguarding matters require consideration.

An opportunity to help establish strong safeguarding governance from the beginning of ADEEAR-L and system.The Safeguarding Trustee will contribute their expertise, experience and strategic advice to support ADEEAR-L’s charitable purpose and development.