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eLearning: Roles and duties of trustees

Trustees play an important role in making sure charities are well-managed and can achieve their aims. This accessible, interactive trustee eLearning course lets you study in your own time and at your own pace so you can fit around your schedule and priorities.

Safeguarding essentials for trustees (0.5 day)

This introductory course explains the key trustee responsibilities for safeguarding, following guidance from the Charity Commission

Leading external engagement (2 days)

An NCVO Event

Advanced data protection (2 x 0.5 days)

This advanced course is specifically for data protection leads or officers in charitable organisations.

Theory of change for strategic planning and evaluation (1 day)

Learn how to create your own theory of change and narrative. This course will challenge you to think critically about what you're doing and why

Supporting good governance (4 x 0.5 days)

This course will help you implement structures and processes to support trustees, and ensure systems are aligned with your organisation’s purpose and objectives

Financial governance for trustees (0.5 day)

This course will revisit the core financial duties of a charity trustee and explore what it means to practice good financial governance

Safeguarding essentials in charities (1 day)

All voluntary organisations have a duty to keep the people they work with safe from harm. This course introduces the basics of safeguarding within a charity context in England and highlights effective safeguarding practice

Outcomes and impact measurement (1 day)

Learn how to create an evaluation plan to better understand and demonstrate the difference your work makes

Data protection essentials (2 x 0.5 days)

This course will take you through the essentials of lawful data processing for charities and help improve your compliance with the law

BAME network reflections on our equity, diversity and inclusion work

  • Inside NCVO
  • Equity, diversity and inclusion

Changing our culture at NCVO

NCVO's chief executive Sarah Vibert reflects on the outcomes of independent investigations into complaints submitted to NCVO's board of trustees

  • Inside NCVO
  • Equity, diversity and inclusion

NCVO's equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) work over the last year

NCVO's chief executive Sarah Vibert shares learnings from our EDI report and sets out the actions we're taking to create an inclusive culture that allows everyone to thrive at work

  • Equity, diversity and inclusion
  • Inside NCVO

Equity, diversity and inclusion at NCVO: What we need to do next

Karl Wilding, chief executive at NCVO, reflects on his own personal learning journey on equity diversity and inclusion (EDI), as well as how NCVO is taking the first steps towards being a more inclusive organisation

  • Equity, diversity and inclusion
  • Inside NCVO

NCVO further strengthens board with two new trustees

NCVO has recruited two charity leaders to its board of trustees, further strengthening and diversifying the skills and experiences of its governing body

  • Inside NCVO

Hardwiring equity, diversity and inclusion into our governance at NCVO

Interim chair of trustees, Anne Heal, reflects on NCVO’s work on equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI)

  • Inside NCVO
  • Equity, diversity and inclusion

Equity, diversity and inclusion: Our journey so far – part 1

NCVO's equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) working group reflect on the current state of the voluntary sector

  • Inside NCVO
  • Equity, diversity and inclusion

Equity, diversity and inclusion: Our journey so far – part 2

NCVO’s EDI working group share an update on the steps we're taking to improve our organisational culture

  • Inside NCVO
  • Equity, diversity and inclusion

Why apprenticeships are important for the voluntary sector

To mark National Apprenticeship Week 2023, Noama Chaudhry shares insights from her apprenticeship at NCVO and offers advice for the wider sector

  • Inside NCVO
  • Employing and managing staff

Some staff reflections on our equity, diversity and inclusion journey so far

  • Inside NCVO
  • Equity, diversity and inclusion

Organisational management calendar

A sample management calendar for users to adapt for their own organisations

Risk register

A template risk register is a framework for identifying, assessing and recording the risks that your organisation faces

Role descriptions for trustees

Sample role descriptions for a range of trustee roles

Role description for a chief executive

The management of a charity is delegated to the chief executive. This is a sample role description for a chief executive.

Sub-committee terms of reference

All sub-committees need terms of reference that clearly indicate what's expected of them and who they're accountable to.

CEO report template

It is good practice that the CEO reports to the board on a regular basis, we would recommend this report is written so that trustees have time to digest it and formulate questions.

Sample schemes of delegation

Three samples formats of schemes of delegation for boards. A one stop document for all your delegated duties and ways to monitor them

Charity governance code

This guide explores how to implement a good appraisal process that supports and motivates your CEO to do even better.

Charity governance code guide for micro charities

A guide to applying the principles of the Charity Governance Code, specially adapted for the smallest organisations.

Governance wheel

The governance wheel is a simple tool that helps boards of voluntary organisations quickly get a sense of how well they’re functioning and fulfilling their roles.

Safeguarding essentials for trustees (0.5 day)

This introductory course explains the key trustee responsibilities for safeguarding, following guidance from the Charity Commission

Member listening forum: challenges facing charities in divided times

Share your experiences, connect with peers and help shape NCVO’s support to strengthen safety and solidarity across the sector.

Member listening forum: challenges facing charities in divided times

Share your experiences, connect with peers and help shape NCVO’s support to strengthen safety and solidarity across the sector.

Data protection essentials (2 x 0.5 days)

This course will take you through the essentials of lawful data processing for charities and help improve your compliance with the law

Developing a Fundraising Strategy (0.5 day)

Learn how to develop your first fundraising strategy. This course is aimed at small to medium-sized charities looking to grow their fundraising offer.

Successful funding applications (0.5 day)

Learn Practical tips to ensure you are successful in your funding bid applications.

Registering a charity in England and Wales

Learn the steps to take to set up and register a charity with the Charity Commission in this free webinar.

Mentoring and coaching skills (0.5 days)

This course provides an introduction to the key differences between mentoring and coaching. You’ll learn how to use both skills effectively to develop and support staff, volunteers and clients

Theory of change for strategic planning and evaluation (1 day)

Learn how to create your own theory of change and narrative. This course will challenge you to think critically about what you're doing and why

Governance trends 2025: what’s changing and why it matters

Discover what’s shaping charity governance in 2025, benchmark best practice and gain practical ideas to strengthen inclusion, leadership and alignment.