Article 39 – Standing with children and young people in institutional settings
Article 39 is seeking new Trustees to help shape the next chapter of our work defending the rights of children and young people living in institutional settings. If you care deeply about children’s rights, want to use your skills to create lasting change, and believe every child deserves safety, dignity and respect, we would love to hear from you.
Full recruitment pack can be found on the website -[link removed]
About Article 39
Article 39 is a national children’s rights charity fighting for children who live in institutional settings such as children’s homes, residential schools, mental health inpatient units, immigration detention, and child prisons. Too often these children are unseen, unheard, and unaware of their rights. We exist to change that.
Since 2015, we have combined moral clarity with practical action:
- Exposing abuse and unlawful practice
- Amplifying children and young people’s voices
- Providing rights information, legal advice and advocacy
- Leading national campaigns
- Influencing policy and legislation
- Taking strategic legal action to protect children’s safeguards
We are now entering an exciting period of development, with new leadership, a renewed strategy, and a commitment to strengthening our governance for long term impact.
About the role
The Chair will play a central role in shaping Article 39’s future direction, supporting the Executive Director, and ensuring strong, effective governance. You will lead a committed and values driven Board, helping us to deepen our impact and strengthen our foundations as we grow.
Key responsibilities include:
- Providing strategic leadership to the Board and ensuring effective governance
- Supporting and constructively challenging the Executive Director
- Ensuring the Board operates collaboratively, inclusively and with clarity of purpose
- Championing Article 39’s mission, values and commitment to children’s rights
- Helping to build a diverse, skilled and representative Board
- Acting as an ambassador for the charity with external partners and stakeholders
- Overseeing organisational performance, risk management and long term sustainability
Who we’re looking for
We are seeking a Chair who shares our unwavering commitment to children’s rights and who brings the leadership, judgement and integrity needed to guide a charity with a strong moral purpose.
We welcome candidates with experience in one or more of the following:
- Charity or organisational leadership
- Governance and Board development
- Legal expertise (particularly Child Law or Human Rights)
- Income generation or fundraising
- External communications and public advocacy
- HR, operations or organisational development
- Youth activism or lived experience of institutional settings
- Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging
We particularly welcome applications from:
- People with lived experience of institutional settings
- Young adults aged 18+ who bring fresh insight and challenge
- People from global majority backgrounds and working class communities
- Individuals whose voices are under represented in governance roles
Experience can come from many places professional, voluntary, community based or lived. If you feel you can lead with integrity, compassion and clarity, we encourage you to apply.
Commitment
- Four Board meetings per year (hybrid), plus one annual in person meeting in London
- Occasional committee meetings
- Regular contact with the Executive Director
- Ad hoc support on strategic matters aligned to your expertise
This is a voluntary role. Travel expenses may be reimbursed.
Support and induction
You will receive a comprehensive onboarding programme, access to training, and ongoing support from Trustees and the Executive Director. You will be joining a warm, committed team united by a shared belief in children’s dignity, equality and rights.
To Apply:
Please send:
- Your CV & personal statement
Please ensure your statement addresses the following:
- 1.Why do you care about Article 39’s mission and the rights of children in institutional settings?
- 2.What leadership experience and governance approach would you bring to the role of Chair?
- 3. How would you approach building a strong, constructive relationship with the Executive
- Director while maintaining appropriate accountability?
If you would prefer to voice note, video, or vlog your supporting statement, then please send a voice or video recording of no more than 5 minutes with your CV
Email:info@article39.org.uk
Subject line:Chair Application
Deadline: 9am, Thursday 12th March
If you would like an informal conversation before applying, please contact Executive Director Jodie Wickers at[email removed].
If you are interested in our work but cannot commit to a Trustee role, we also welcome enquiries about joining our specialist advisory boards.
