Summary of the role
Position: Voluntary
Location: Primarily remote, with 2 in-person meetings per year
Commitment: Approximately 6 to 10 days per year, including quarterly Board and Clinical Governance Committee meetings
Term: Three years, renewable subject to Board approval
About FirstLight
FirstLight was established in 1976 as ISIDA and will mark its 50th anniversary in 2026. Today, FirstLight delivers free professional counselling to families and individuals affected by the death of a child aged 0 to 18 years, regardless of the cause of death. Our trauma-informed crisis intervention, counselling and psychotherapy services are provided across all 26 counties with compassion, care and respect for each family’s individual experience.
The Opportunity
FirstLight is seeking an experienced clinical or therapeutic professional to join its Board as a FirstLight Director and Charity Trustee, and to contribute to the Clinical Governance Committee.
This is a strategic governance role. The successful candidate will bring informed, independent clinical insight to Board discussions, helping FirstLight maintain high standards of safety, quality, ethics and accountability.
We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in counselling, psychotherapy, psychology, mental health, social work or another relevant clinical discipline, especially where this includes bereavement, trauma-informed practice, clinical risk or safeguarding.
Governance focus: The role is not responsible for individual clinical decisions or day-to-day service management. It provides strategic oversight, assurance, reflective challenge and support at Board and committee level.
Responsibilities of the role
As a FirstLight Director and Charity Trustee with clinical expertise, you will help the Board to:
- Oversee the quality, safety and ethical delivery of FirstLight’s clinical services.
- Consider clinical risk, safeguarding, professional standards and service quality information.
- Ensure trauma-informed values are reflected in strategy, governance and organisational culture.
- Review clinical governance reports, policies, frameworks, risks, trends and areas for improvement.
- Provide constructive support and challenge to the executive and clinical leadership teams.
- Contribute to FirstLight’s governance, strategy, compliance, resources and long-term direction.
Requirements
Essential
- A recognised professional qualification in counselling, psychotherapy, psychology, social work, mental health nursing or another relevant clinical or therapeutic discipline.
- Significant experience in the delivery, leadership, management or oversight of counselling, psychotherapy, mental health or related support services.
- A strong understanding of clinical governance, professional ethics, safeguarding and clinical risk.
- Sound judgement, integrity and the confidence to provide supportive and constructive challenge.
- A clear commitment to trauma-informed, person-centred and compassionate practice, and to respecting the dignity and individual experiences of bereaved parents and families.
Particularly Desirable
Additional experience in the following areas would be especially valuable:
- Traumatic bereavement, infant or child death, or family support.
- Crisis intervention, complex clinical risk, safeguarding or reflective practice.
- Clinical audit, quality assurance, outcomes monitoring, policy development or charity governance.
Previous experience as a Charity Trustee or company director is welcome but not essential. Induction and ongoing governance support will be provided.
What You Will Gain
- Make a meaningful contribution to services for families following the death of a child.
- Help strengthen FirstLight’s clinical governance, service quality and safety.
- Contribute your professional experience at a strategic level alongside a committed Board and experienced clinical and executive colleagues.
Placeholder
Please send a brief expression of interest, outlining your relevant experience and reasons for wishing to join FirstLight’s Board, to Andrew Mernagh, FirstLight’s General Manager, at [email protected]
Closing date: 17:00, Friday October 2nd 2026
We welcome interest from people with relevant qualifications and experience from a broad range of backgrounds and communities. Please let us know if you require any reasonable accommodation or additional support during the recruitment process.