Education Committee Chair - Volunteer, Bromley

We are seeking to appoint someone with experience of educational governance to chair our established Education Committee, which oversees our Training Centre for learners aged 18–25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and moderate Special Educational Needs.

What difference will you make?

As Education Committee Chair, you will help our board to oversee and evaluate the quality, effectiveness, and strategic direction of the Training Centre, ensuring compliance with Ofsted and other relevant educational standards, while supporting continuous improvement in our educational provision.

What are we looking for?

Bromley Mencap is seeking someone with experience of educational governance to lead our Education Committee and help drive quality, aspiration and impact in our Training Centre.

As chair of the Education Committee, you will lead on providing constructive challenge and support to our Senior Leadership Team, and be responsible for providing advice to the Board of Trustees on matters related to education provision.

You’ll bring experience and confidence in

• monitoring and evaluation of the quality of education services, ensuring compliance with the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework and other educational regulatory requirements.
• reviewing and assessing performance data, including learner outcomes, staff performance, and feedback from students and stakeholders.
• supporting the development and implementation of strategic plans related to education services.

Hybrid

What will you be doing?

Bromley Mencap has established a Training Centre for learners aged 18–25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and moderate Special Educational Needs, which opened in September 2023.

We offer a two-year programme for learners to help develop their confidence, life and employability skills. In the first year the pathway focuses on independence and employability, along with Maths and English. In the second-year pathway explores vocational skills and subjects, along with IT/computing. Our qualifications and courses are accredited by OCN London, and we are regulated by Ofsted.

We are now seeking to appoint someone with experience of educational governance to chair our established Education Committee, which is made up of four trustees of the Charity.

The role is available as a co‑opted Education Committee member, or as a full trustee of the Charity.

You will be required to attend approximately six Education Committee meetings per academic year (typically Monday 4-5.30pm). Meetings are held online via Microsoft Teams, providing flexibility to enable strong attendance.

You will be expected to engage, where possible, in learning walks and open days. Collectively, this equates to a commitment of around 1-2 hours per month, with flexibility to contribute more if willing and available.

If you wish to become a member of the Board of Trustees, this will require an additional commitment to attending four Board meetings per year, which are held in person (typically Monday 2-4.30pm).

You will also need to set time aside to read and review Committee and Board papers in preparation to contribute to informed discussion. Papers are circulated a week in advance of the meetings.

The role will

• Participate actively in Education Committee meetings, strategy days, and other relevant internal meetings and events.
• Oversee the development and delivery of the Training Centre’s strategy in line with the Charity’s overall strategy, reflecting local needs and context while upholding the Charity’s vision and values.
• Support and appropriately challenge the Senior Leadership Team to deliver high‑quality, inclusive educational outcomes, offering constructive input and robust challenge where needed.
• Monitor key performance indicators to ensure effective oversight of service delivery across inclusion, safeguarding, curriculum, achievement and participation.
• Ensure strong financial stewardship by using resources efficiently and in line with agreed priorities.
• Provide effective safeguarding oversight by reviewing the Training Centre’s arrangements, ensuring statutory compliance, and promoting a strong safeguarding culture.
• Undertake training and development to strengthen your knowledge and skills, stay informed about specialist provision for learners with learning difficulties and disabilities, and support continuous improvement.

The role is subject to a satisfactory disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (known as a DBS check), as it involves occasional direct contact with learners.