Board Members

Reach Deaf Services Board Vacancies

Reach Deaf Services is seeking expressions of interest from individuals who would like to give of their skills, knowledge and experience, in supporting our work to be a leading organisation, combining our experience, skills and expertise, in the provision of quality services through ISL to enable our service users in the Deaf Community reach their full potential.

The Reach Deaf Services Board currently has a number of vacancies. Candidates are sought from the Deaf and business community with experience in the Deaf and voluntary sector, Deaf Community issues, financial management, governance, safeguarding and compliance matters. This is a voluntary, unpaid role.

About Reach Deaf Services

Established in 1875, Reach Deaf Services is non-profit charity enabling the Deaf Community and Deaf people generally to achieve their full potential and to have equality of access and opportunity in all aspects of their lives.

Reach Deaf Services focuses on the areas of education, social care, pastoral and spiritual work.

Reach Deaf Services is in receipt of funding from the Health Service Executive for the boarding campus accommodating children attending the specialised Holy Family School for the Deaf and a Community Supported Living Service which supports Deaf and Deaf Blind adults living in their own homes. Reach Deaf Services directly manages these services and is the trustee of the Holy Family School.

The National Deaf Village Sports and Leisure Company Limited, which now trades as the Inspire Fitness Centre, is a subsidiary company of Reach Deaf Services.

Our key services include:

• Reach Deaf Services Community/Supported Living Service
• Reach Deaf Services Boarding Campus for Deaf Children
• The National Chaplaincy for Deaf People
• Trustees of the Holy Family School for the Deaf

About the Role

Reach Deaf Services wishes to engage voluntary directors who will play an active role in assisting the organisation achieve its purpose.

As a director, your role is to provide leadership to the company within a framework of prudent and effective controls, which enables risk to be assessed and managed.

In contributing to the effective governance of the organisation you will also be asked to sit on one of four Board Sub-Committees. The current Sub-Committees include:

• Finance, Audit and Risk Committee
• Governance, Strategy and Organisational Development Committee
• Safeguarding, Welfare and Protection Committee
• HR Committee

The Board is assisted in its role by the CEO and the Executive Senior Management Team which is comprised Financial Controller, Head of Adult Services, Head of Support Services, IT Manager, Property and Facilities Manager and HR Manager.

Competency & Skills Required for the Role

Given the services and supports offered by Reach Deaf Services on behalf of the HSE and the governance and compliance landscape within which Reach Deaf Services operates, it is imperative that the Board has the skills, competencies and behaviours required to ensure effective governance and oversight.

Reach Deaf Services is currently seeking a director with knowledge and subject matter expertise in the area of Deaf Community issues, financial management, governance, safeguarding and compliance matters.

Perspective board members are encouraged to apply for this role with the requirement that they can demonstrate both the relevance of their skills and experience. The person appointed will demonstrate a genuine commitment to Reach Deaf Services ethos and vision. The successful candidate will ideally have the skills and attributes detailed below.

Irish Sign Language (ISL) and Deaf Culture are a key part of how our services are provided. Board members are encouraged to learn ISL with classes being provided by the organisation.

In addition, the following skills and competencies are provided as a general guide to perspective candidates and are indicative of the more general skills required for effective governance.

Application Process

Candidates are invited to contact Nessan Vaughan via phone or text at 0872515307 should you like to discuss this role further and learn more about Reach Deaf Services.