UKCP Trustees – HR and Communications

We’re looking for two trustees who share our vision of a society that understands the value and impact of high-quality psychotherapy, the importance of making psychotherapeutic services available to those in need and the relevance of psychotherapy in improving lives.  

Having communications, PR or professional HR expertise – along with an understanding of the distinction between governance and management – will be key in these trustee roles. If you have experience in working in an influential role, feel that you have good, independent judgement and can act with impartiality, fairness and respect, we believe that you may be a great addition to our Board of Trustees.

General responsibilities for all trustees

• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of issues pertinent to UKCP and the Board of Trustees’ business. 
• Prepare for and attend Board of Trustees and other meetings and contribute expert ideas and know-how, listen to the debate and collaborate with other members to reach consensus and decisions in the best interests of UKCP. 
• Declare any potential or perceived conflicts of interest and be recused for the pertinent sections of the meeting. 
• Carry out actions as agreed by the Board of Trustees. 
• As necessary, collaborate with trustees ‘offline’ to progress the work of the Board satisfactorily. 
• Sit on/attend committees, panels and working groups, and/or present at events as required. 

This is not an exhaustive list and you are required to be flexible in your approach to carrying out your duties, which may change from time to time to reflect changes in the UKCP's approach to a culture of continuous improvement.

HR trustee-specific responsibilities

• Provide HR expertise and oversight to the Board of Trustees, supporting understanding and decision-making on complex human resources and tax matters, especially relating to the ‘worker status project’ (reviewing employment status of volunteers such as assessors and committee chairs). 
• Offer checks and balances on HR-related projects, acting in an advisory capacity. 
• Contribute HR knowledge to subcommittees. 
• support the Board of Trustees as it transitions towards a clearer separation of membership and regulatory functions, in anticipation of statutory regulation changes. 
• Participate actively in governance review processes, helping to simplify and clarify organisational arrangements. 
• As a lay trustee, represent the interests of the UK public within the psychotherapy profession. 
• As a lay trustee, help keep maintain the Board of Trustees’ focus on a governance/oversight remit and avoid straying into operations. 

What we’re looking for: 

• Professional expertise in HR. 
• A desire to improve the UK’s mental health and an appreciation of the role of high-level oversight in achieving this. 
• Appreciation of membership bodies’ responsibility to represent public benefit. 
• An understanding of the distinction between governance and management – this can be based on corporate, public or not-for-profit board experience. 
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills with experience of working in an influential role. 
• Demonstrates good, independent judgement; can also act with impartiality, fairness and respect confidences. 
• A willingness to speak your mind, with an ability to navigate complex and sensitive issues with tact, diplomacy and empathy. 

Communications trustee-specific responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight and challenge to the organisation’s communications, PR and marketing activities, ensuring alignment with the overall mission and strategy. 
• Act as a sounding board for the head of policy and communications, supporting and constructively challenging staff proposals and initiatives. 
• Bring expertise in communications, PR or marketing to address gaps on the Board of Trustees and help raise the organisation’s public profile, especially among the general public and key stakeholders. 
• Support efforts to communicate the value proposition to members and drive member engagement and retention. 
• Contribute ideas and guidance for public-facing campaigns, particularly around educating the public to verify therapist registration. 
• Collaborate with staff and external partners to develop effective strategies for increasing awareness of the organisation and its standards. 
• As a lay trustee, represent the interests of the UK public within the psychotherapy profession. 
• As a lay trustee, help maintain the Board of Trustees’ focus on a governance/oversight remit and avoid straying into operations. 

What we’re looking for: 

• Professional expertise in communications, marketing and/or public relations. 
• A desire to improve the UK’s mental health and an appreciation of the role of high-level oversight in achieving this. 
• Appreciation of membership bodies’ responsibility to represent public benefit. 
• An understanding of the distinction between governance and management – this can be based on corporate, public or not-for-profit board experience. 
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills with experience of working in an influential role. 
• Demonstrates good, independent judgement; can also act with impartiality, fairness and respect confidences. 
• A willingness to speak your mind, with an ability to navigate complex and sensitive issues with tact, diplomacy and empathy.