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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 Road Ahead 2024

The Road Ahead 2024 is our annual report on the changing landscape for voluntary sector organisations

  • Government and politics

Volunteering round-up: January 2024

The latest volunteering news, resources and dates for your diary

  • Involving volunteers

Governance round-up: January 2024

A round-up of the latest governance news, resources and dates for your diary

  • Governance

The inside track: January 2024

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

  • Government and politics

Listen, act and change this Race Equality Week

Our people partner Charmaine Goddard reflects on the work NCVO and the wider sector are doing to challenge racism and inequity

  • Inside NCVO
  • Equity, diversity and inclusion

Rethinking charity internships

Charity Interns founder Maya Bhose shares how this innovative new programme is bringing new talent into the voluntary sector

  • Employing and managing staff

Volunteering round-up: February 2024

Senior volunteering consultant Helen Tourle shares the latest volunteering news, resources and dates for your diary

  • Involving volunteers

Re-invigorating volunteering with Active Kindness

Senior volunteering consultant Helen Tourle shares lessons from a unique volunteering programme

  • Involving volunteers

Governance round-up: February 2024

A round-up of the latest governance news, resources and dates for your diary

  • Governance

The Road Ahead 2024: Opportunities and challenges for the voluntary sector

Our latest Road Ahead report analyses major trends and issues for 2024 to help chart a path through the year

Cost and income structure

Writing the cost and income structure section of your business plan

  • Business planning and strategy

Financial forecasts

Writing the financial forecasts section of your business plan

  • Business planning and strategy

Risk map

Writing the risk map section of your business plan

  • Business planning and strategy

Business plan template

Use this tool to help your organisation write your business plan

What is safeguarding?

Find out what safeguarding means for your organisation

  • Safeguarding

Six steps to successful safeguarding

What the Charity Commission expects you to do, and the main areas of activity to focus on

  • Safeguarding

Law, rules and duties

Find out more about your legal and regulatory responsibilities in safeguarding

  • Safeguarding

Working overseas

Get advice on the safeguarding challenges of working outside the UK

  • Safeguarding

What to do if you have immediate concerns

If you’re worried about someone right now, follow these steps to help

  • Safeguarding

About these safeguarding pages

Find out more about the project supported by the National Lottery Community Fund and the Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport

  • Safeguarding

Advanced data protection (2 x 0.5 days)

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

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

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

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

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

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