Trustee opportunity at Coram Family and Childcare
Coram Family and Childcare is looking for people who want to help improve the lives of children and families by becoming a Trustee
Positions: Trustee appointments available
Term duration: Four years, renewable for a further four years
Commitment: Approximately four Board meetings a year with one in-person meeting a year
This role is voluntary and therefore unpaid.
Coram Family and Childcare combines research, policy advocacy and parent-led programmes to understand the challenges facing families and develop and advocate for solutions that children and parents need. Our work is particularly focused on families facing disadvantage, social exclusion, poverty and barriers to accessing services.
Each year we publish the annual Childcare Survey and Holiday Childcare Survey, the definitive source of evidence on the cost and availability of childcare across Great Britain. We also deliver the Parent Champions programme, which enables parent volunteers to support other families in their communities to access information, services and entitlements. Our Parent Champions schemes reach tens of thousands of families each year.
We facilitate the National Association of Family Information Services and work with local authorities, childcare providers, policymakers and other organisations to develop evidence-based solutions that improve access to high-quality and affordable childcare and early education.
About the Trustee Role
Trustees play a vital role in providing strategic leadership, oversight and governance to Coram Family and Childcare. Working collectively with fellow Trustees and the senior leadership team, Trustees will help ensure that the charity remains focused on its charitable purpose and continues to deliver meaningful change for children and families.
Trustees will be expected to:
- Provide strategic oversight of the charity’s work, priorities and future direction.
- Ensure that Coram Family and Childcare remains focused on its charitable objectives and the needs of children and families.
- Scrutinise performance, finances, risk and organisational governance.
- Support and constructively challenge the senior leadership team.
- Use their experience, networks and expertise to help advance the charity’s mission and influence.
- Act in the best interests of the charity and ensure that decisions are made with children and families at the heart of them.
- Attend Board meetings and contribute actively to discussions, committees and relevant Coram events.
- Act as an ambassador for Coram Family and Childcare and the wider Coram Group where appropriate.
Who are we looking for?
We welcome applications from people with a broad range of professional, personal and lived experience.
We are seeking people with experience of business development, research, early years services, child development, policy or special educational needs and disabilites (SEND). We are particularly keen to hear from candidates with lived experience of using early years or childcare services alongside these professional backgrounds, or who can bring lived experience of the issues affecting children, parents and families, and who can help ensure that the voices and experiences of those we support are reflected in our work.
You do not need to have previous experience as a charity Trustee. We are interested in people who can demonstrate sound judgement, strategic thinking, a commitment to children and families, and the ability to work collaboratively while constructively challenging and supporting others.
How to apply
To apply, please send a CV and covering letter explaining your interest in becoming a Trustee of Coram Family and Childcare and the experience and perspective you would bring to the role to:
Closing date: Tuesday 27th October 2026
Interviews: Early/Mid November 2026
If you would like to have an informal conversation about the role, please contact Lydia Hodges, Head of Coram Family and Childcare, at Lydia.Hodges@coramfamilyandchildcare.org.uk.
Coram Family and Childcare is an equal opportunities organisation and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We particularly encourage applications from people from backgrounds currently under-represented on our boards and from candidates with lived experience of the issues affecting children, young people and families.
We are committed to safeguarding children and, where appropriate, successful applicants will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check.