Position Description

Position Title: Board Director (Voluntary)

Purpose of the Role: To be a member of the Board of Directors to provide support and oversight of Sanctuary Aus. and its activities.

Organisational Environment:

Sanctuary Aus Limited is a not-for-profit community owned and operated organisation for children, young people and families in the Canberra region. Sanctuary Aus responds to community needs within a safe and welcoming environment through our focus areas that provide a flexible range of therapy, supports, activities and information.

Sanctuary Aus works to address the many issues which can impact on a family’s capacity to raise their children in a healthy and caring environment: maximising the child’s capacity to develop and flourish in their home environment. Sanctuary Aus has four main arms to its services:

· Individual and Family Therapy services; · Group work for children, young people, women and parents; · Disability services through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS); · Support the establishment and maintenance of a safe and therapeutic ‘community’: providing a trauma-informed environment where clients, past and present, and the community are welcomed - reducing their isolation and increasing their supports.

To date, our income has come predominately through the provision of behaviour Support therapy for children and young people with Autism; funded through the NDIS. Other sources of income include: providing private Circle of Security sessions in the family’s home at night; Families in Sync when funded for particular families by Child and Youth Protection Services and ACT Together (foster care); children’s groups for emotional regulation; and small grants provided for women and volunteers.

The organisation is looking to expand into the provision of Allied Health as part of its Development Services to ensure a holistic support solution to children and families’ individual needs. The opportunity exists for three new Board Directors to join the Board during this exciting time of renewal and growth.

Key Responsibilities As a Board Director you will:

o Attend, and participate in discussion and deliberations at the monthly Sanctuary Aus. Board meetings (either via MS teams or in person) and the Annual General Meeting

o Lead and/or respond to action items from the Board, Executive Director or other Executive Committees of the Board

o Contribute to the Sanctuary Aus. vision, by providing guidance, develop and monitor short-term and long-term goal setting

o Oversee financial matters, allocate and protect Sanctuary Aus. resources to ensure financial viability and sustainability of the organisation

o Participate in one of the Executive Committees that report to the Board:

o Financial Accountability and Risk Management (FARM) Committee

o Opportunities Committee o Policy Committee

o Contribute to the strategic governance of Sanctuary Aus.to ensure it is legally compliant and fit-for-purpose.

The Successful Applicants will have:

o Experience and/or tertiary qualifications in one of the following disciplines (highest priority first):

o Community Sector service delivery o Administrative or Corporate Law o Public Relations and Marketing or Communication

o A consultative leadership style

o A trustworthy and honest personality

o A current Working with Vulnerable People (or willingness to apply for this immediately), and

o A willingness to apply for an AFP Police check immediately.

Highly Desirable:

o Prior or current Board membership

o Applicants from diverse backgrounds, such as those with a disability, Culturally and

o Linguistically Diverse, First Nations, LGBTQIA+ community and people of different age

o groups with different lived experiences, and

o Completion of, or a commitment to, completing the Australian Institute of Company

o Directors Course and/or other relevant governance qualifications and experience.

The time commitment for a Sanctuary Aus Board Director is expected to be approximately five to ten hours per month.

Board Directors are asked to commit to a two-year term in this role.