July 2016

Dear Candidate

Thank you for considering applying for the role of Chair of Trustees for The Wilf Ward Family Trust.

The Trust was formed in 1986 by Wilf and Phylis Ward to provide relief and support to individuals living with complex and profound physical and learning disabilities. It has grown significantly since then and now delivers services across North Yorkshire, Leeds, City of York and East Riding. With an income in excess of £18m per annum and employing just under 1,000 staff, the Trust is a key regional force for delivering high quality social care across North Yorkshire.

The challenges of the past 5 years of austerity have forced the Trust to rethink how it delivers new and existing services and how it will remain able to support our existing customer group, whilst ensuring the quality of support provided does not decline. It is unlikely that the funding position will improve in the coming years but the Leadership Team and Board of Trustees have worked together to ensure the Trust is ready to meet the next set of challenges.

Consequently, it is vital that the new Chair is ready to meet the demands that this role will place upon them. While it will be advantageous to have knowledge or experience of learning disability issues, this is not a pre-requisite for the role. However, having an empathy with individuals living with a learning disability and a desire to provide them with the best quality social care is an absolute necessity.

Your background is less important than what you will bring, which is likely to include strong leadership, strategic acumen, sound business awareness, an inquiring mind and an ability to work in partnership with the Leadership Team and Trustees to ensure the Trust meets all of its regulatory, contractual and social commitments.

The role is unremunerated but I am able to confirm that following 30 years of involvement with the Trust, that the rewards have certainly outweighed the effort. The usual time commitment for a Trustee is to prepare for and attend six meetings a year. Most of our existing Trustees do undertake other commitments across the Trust including attending staff conferences, visiting schemes and taking part in strategic project groups. At a minimum the new Chair can expect to be engaged in between 5 and 10 hours of Trust related duties every month.

If after reading all of this you are still interested then please do submit your CV with a covering letter of no more than 3 pages explaining why the role interests you and identifying the skills you feel you have to lead the Trust in the future.

This pack contains all you need to know to help you decide whether you should apply to be considered for this role. However, should you remain undecided and would wish to discuss this role then please do contact Paul McCay, Chief Executive on 01751 474740 or via email at p.mccay@wilfward.org.uk and one of us will get back in touch with you to discuss the role further.

Thank you for your interest and your time. I do hope that you feel able to express an interest in this role, I am certain that you will not regret it.

Yours sincerely

Tony Denness

Chair of Trustees

Enc.

Copy of Annual Report and Audited Accounts 2014 / 15

Copies of ‘In the Spotlight’ April, May and June 2016

Copy of Organisational Hierarchy Chart

Copy of Year End Summary 2015 / 16

Next steps document