Who are OUSET Trustees?
Trustees of The Open University Students’ Educational Trust (OUSET) play a vital role in ensuring that the charity fulfils its charitable purposes, acts in the best interests of its beneficiaries, and is managed responsibly and effectively. Trustees have collective responsibility for the governance, strategy, assets, compliance and overall administration of the charity, and must exercise independent judgement, reasonable care and skill in line with charity law and regulatory guidance.
What is OUSET?
The Open University Students’ Educational Trust (OUSET) is a registered charity which provides grants towards course fees and essential study costs for Open University students who are in financial difficulty and unable to access sufficient financial support from government or university sources. The Trust supports access to education by helping students facing hardship to continue their studies.
Trustees act collectively as the charity’s governing body. Individual trustees share equal legal responsibility for decisions, must act within OUSET’s governing document and the law, and should put the charity’s purposes and beneficiaries ahead of personal, organisational or third-party interests.
OUSET Trustee role description
Role Tasks
- Ensure that OUSET is carrying out its charitable purposes for public benefit and remains focused on supporting Open University students in financial hardship.
- Comply with OUSET’s governing document, charity law and all relevant regulatory requirements, including those of the Charity Commission and OSCR (Scottish Charity Regulator) where applicable.
- Act in OUSET’s best interests, declaring and managing conflicts of interest appropriately and taking decisions in good faith.
- Set and review OUSET’s strategic direction, ensuring that its activities, grant-making and use of resources are aligned with its charitable objects.
- Approve and monitor policies, operational plans, budgets and financial statements, and ensure that resources are managed responsibly.
- Safeguard the charity’s assets and ensure that appropriate financial controls, risk management arrangements and governance processes are in place.
- Exercise reasonable care, skill and diligence, drawing on personal knowledge and experience while seeking appropriate advice when needed.
- Ensure that OUSET is accountable to its beneficiaries, regulators, funders and supporters, including through accurate reporting and transparent decision-making.
- Contribute to regular reviews of OUSET’s governance and attend Board meetings fully prepared to participate constructively in discussion and decision-making.
- Support the promotion of OUSET’s objects, aims and reputation by applying relevant skills, expertise, knowledge and networks.
- As a charity working to support students in financial hardship, there may be times when trustees are asked to contribute beyond Board meetings. This may include scrutinising papers, participating in working groups, supporting governance or fundraising development, providing advice on areas of expertise, and representing OUSET appropriately when required.
Role Training
- Core volunteer training covering GDPR, PREVENT and Safeguarding
- An overview of OUSET and the expectations of your role.
- Ongoing support and relevant training throughout your time in the role.
Skills developed in the role
- Critical thinking
- Decision-making
- Teamwork
- Effective communication skills
Time commitments
- Attending four Board meetings annually. Currently meetings are remote or hybrid.
- Attending an annual strategy and training day in person, location to be confirmed based on location of board members.
- Commitment of a trustee is usually a term (2 years).
Applications for this role be open from 2 October 2026 to 25 October 2026.
APPLY NOW
For more information please contact us oustudents-volunteer@open.ac.uk.
See our current opporunities.