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The inside track: February 2023

Our latest update on what’s happening in Westminster. This month sees the creation of new government departments and a big change at the top of Scottish politics

  • Government and politics

Governance round-up: March 2023

With many of us approaching the end of our financial year, senior governance consultant Sally Stephens shares guidance for completing your annual return

  • Governance

Is this what a voluntary sector CEO looks like?

To mark International Women’s Day 2023, our chief executive Sarah Vibert reflects on what changes are needed to encourage more women into leadership positions in the voluntary sector

  • Equity, diversity and inclusion

Charities urge chancellor to provide cost of living support

Organisations have united ahead of next week’s spring budget to call on the chancellor to provide urgent support

  • Responding to crises

Government policy and funding round-up: March 2023

The latest government policy and funding announcements and updates on our influencing work

  • Government and politics
  • Funding and income

Practical support bulletin: March 2023

Amy Walton, small charity support manager, shares resources, free events, support and information on the big issues affecting small charities.

  • Responding to crises
  • Funding and income
  • Financial management

Statement regarding the closure of The FSI

Our statement on the recent closure of The FSI

Spring budget 2023: funding and implications for charities

Our reflections on the budget and what it could mean for voluntary organisations

  • Government and politics

Small charities advisory panel launched

The panel will champion the voices and experiences of small charities, ensuring they can access tailored help, support and advocacy

  • Collaboration

Governance round-up: April 2023

Senior governance consultant Sally Stephens explains the upcoming changes in the Charities Act 2022

  • Governance

Employment Rights Bill: what charities need to know

The Employment Rights Bill introduces the biggest changes to UK employment law in decades. Find out when these changes will happen and what you should be doing to get ready.

Updates to NCVO’s executive team

Membership body announces changes to its executive team following the arrival of new CEO, Kate Lee.

What the Autumn 2025 Budget means for your charity

Limited measures announced, but not enough to ease financial strain on charities.

  • Funding and income
  • Government and politics

Charities facing mission-limiting hostility, fear and intimidation

A new report from NCVO explores impact of rise in extremism and social division on the voluntary sector.

  • Responding to crises
  • Government and politics

Why the government’s asylum proposals are bad for volunteering

  • Involving volunteers
  • Government and politics

Local Covenant Partnerships Fund announced

The government has announced a new initiative designed to support stronger, fairer and more collaborative relationships between charities and local government.

  • Funding and income
  • Government and politics

Charities raise serious concerns about government’s earned settlement proposals

Charities and voluntary organisations are raising serious concerns about government proposals to link volunteering to asylum settlement.

Kerplunk and the art of strengthening government civil sector relationships

The Covenant Council can help drive change, but the covenant will only succeed if the whole sector actively uses it to build stronger relationships between government and civil society.

  • Government and politics

Turning intent into action: the Covenant Council begins

Last week, we brought together (almost all) members of the new Civil Society Covenant Council for an informal meet-and-greet, ahead of our first formal meeting at No.10 Downing Street next month.

  • Government and politics

Letter to small charities

Following recent changes within NCVO, this letter from CEO Kate Lee, sets out plans for the future and our continued commitment to supporting small charities.

Code of conduct

A sample code of conduct for trustees.

Declaration of interests

Sample declaration of interests form for trustees

Expenses claim form

Sample trustee expenses claim form

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

A resource pack to help you write a scheme of delegation.

Advanced data protection (2 x 0.5 days)

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

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

Designated safeguarding leads in charities (1 day)

This one-day training course provides an overview of the roles and responsibilities of safeguarding leads in charities in England.

Boost your personal influence and impact (0.5 day)

Learn practical tools and techniques to increase your capability, confidence and impact when seeking to influence others – both within and outside your organisation

Building a sustainable and resilient fundraising strategy (1 day)

Through a blend of theoretical frameworks and practical application, you'll learn how to strengthen your current fundraising strategy so that is not only effective today but sustainable and resilient for years to come.

Safeguarding essentials for trustees (0.5 day)

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

Charity finance skills (1 day)

This course will help people with little or no financial background to feel confident in managing day-to-day charity finance

Project management in the voluntary sector (2 days)

This practical course is specifically tailored to the voluntary sector. It’s designed to give you all the principles and practical tools you need to plan, deliver and evaluate your project successfully.

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

Mentoring and coaching (0.5 day)

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