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Tools and guidance

Tools and good-practice guidance to help you review, run and improve your board, compiled by NCVO's governance experts

  • Governance

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.

Strategic planning

Information and tools on strategic planning.

Trustee recruitment pack for small organisations

Six steps to follow when recruiting trustees and nine editable documents to aid your recruitment

Trustee skills audit

A skills audit is a useful way of identifying what trustees bring, and the gaps in skills and knowledge on your board. It can be useful when you’re looking to recruit new trustees.

Individual trustee self reflection

Self reflection is an important part of your professional development and will help you to do your role effectively.

Individual trustee performance reviews

Guidance on conducting individual trustee performance reviews

  • Governance

Financial procedures manual

Templates and guidance for creating a financial procedures manual that will provide a framework for managing your organisation's finances.

  • Governance

The Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP reflects on Volunteers' Week 2023

As Volunteers' Week 2023 draws to a close, the Minister for Civil Society looks back on the week and shares his thoughts

  • Involving volunteers

Governance round-up: June 2023

Reflections on the recent Charity Commission board appointments along with updates and upcoming events

  • Governance

Volunteering round-up: June 2023

Volunteering consultant Helen Tourle shares the latest volunteering news, updates, events and training

  • Involving volunteers

Time Well Spent 2023

We share findings from our latest national survey on the volunteer experience

  • Involving volunteers

The inside track: June 2023

Our latest update on what’s happening in Westminster and how it might impact charities

  • Government and politics

Election manifesto: Sheffield charities have their say

Charity representatives tell us their priorities ahead of next year’s general election

  • Government and politics

Fuelling positive change: NCVO launches campaign to encourage charities to consider divestment

NCVO launches campaign to encourage charities to consider divestment

  • Campaigning

Volunteering round-up: July 2023

Volunteering consultant Helen Tourle shares volunteering news and dates for your diary

  • Involving volunteers

Practical support bulletin: July 2023

Resources, free events, support and information on the big issues affecting small charities

  • Financial management
  • Funding and income
  • Responding to crises

Government policy and funding round up: July 2023

An update on our influencing work, government policy and funding announcements

  • Funding and income
  • Government and politics

Equity, diversity and inclusion

A quick introduction to employment law on equity, diversity and inclusion

  • Employing and managing staff

Leave and time off work

A quick introduction to employment law on leave and time off

  • Employing and managing staff

Pay and pensions

A quick introduction to employment law on pay and pensions

  • Employing and managing staff

Employment contracts and written statements

Guidance on what to include in employment contracts and written statements

  • Employing and managing staff

Developing policies and procedures

Check your organisation has the right policies and procedures in place to employ and manage staff

  • Employing and managing staff

Setting salaries

How to set a salary structure and reward staff with fair and competitive pay

  • Employing and managing staff

Adoption leave

A sample adoption leave policy, designed for small charities and voluntary organisations

Compassionate and parental bereavement leave

A sample compassionate and parental bereavement leave policy, designed for small charities and voluntary organisations

Dignity at work

A sample dignity at work policy, designed for small charities and voluntary organisations

Disciplinary

A sample disciplinary procedure, designed for small charities and voluntary organisations

Leading change and transformation (2 days)

This practical two-day course for aspiring and existing charity leaders will teach you how to adapt to an ever-changing environment. Learn how to successfully deliver meaningful change to improve your team or organisation

Advanced project management (1 day)

Are you confident in your general project management skills but looking to strengthen your expertise? This course moves beyond the basics of project management to better understand techniques, activities and principles within a charity context.

Advanced data protection (2 x 0.5 days)

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

Managing people in the charity sector (2 days)

This course will equip managers in the voluntary sector with the skills and techniques they need to effectively manage paid members of staff

Good practice in volunteer management (1 day)

This course provides an introduction to the key principles of good volunteer management and how to apply them in your organisation

Governance Forum

Our Governance Forum is a space for charity governance professionals and those who support good governance to come together, learn and network

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

Charity finance strategy (1 day)

This course will give you an overview of how to build a simple finance strategy. We’ll introduce tools to help you build the financial resilience of your charity

Data protection essentials (2 x 0.5 days)

This essentials course is suitable for anyone within an organisation that handles the personal data of staff, service users, beneficiaries, volunteers, customers, members or supporters, and needs to know the basics of data protection for voluntary organisations.

Safeguarding essentials for trustees (0.5 day)

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