You searched for
''

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

Read the new Code, which sets out principles of good governance for charities.

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

Before you start

How to use NCVO's financial procedures manual template

  • Governance

Autumn Statement 2023: Impact on charities

Policy and insight manager Sam Mercadante considers the implications of the Autumn Statement for charities

Government policy and funding round-up: November 2023

Latest updates on our influencing work, government policy and funding announcements

  • Financial management
  • Government and politics
  • Funding and income

Time Well Spent 2023: Volunteering among the global majority

Research exploring the volunteering experiences and perspectives of people from the global majority

  • Equity, diversity and inclusion
  • Involving volunteers

Impact round-up: December 2023

The latest resources, events and training to help your organisation with its impact and evaluation

  • Impact and evaluation

Volunteering round-up: December 2023

The latest volunteering news, resources and dates for your diary

  • Involving volunteers

Governance round-up: December 2023

New inclusion and campaigning resources, a chance to help shape investment principles, and dates for your diary

  • Governance

Our tribute to Michelle

It is with much love and respect that we pay tribute to our colleague and friend, Michelle Curtis, who passed away unexpectedly in November.

Why your voice is important in 2024, and how NCVO can help

How charities can harness the power of our collective voice in 2024

Practical support bulletin: January 2024

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

  • Cost of living
  • Digital and technology
  • Involving volunteers

Government policy and funding round-up: January 2024

Latest updates on our influencing work, government policy and funding announcements

  • Funding and income
  • Government and politics

Deciding which checks to carry out

Different roles will require different checks. This page explores what checks you might need to run

  • Safeguarding

Help and support with requesting DBS checks

How to request and process DBS checks

  • Safeguarding

Checks for people working overseas

Guidance on what checks you need to complete for people working overseas

  • Safeguarding

Checks for trustees

Guidance on additional information you need to consider when carrying out DBS checks for trustees

  • Safeguarding

Keeping information safe

Steps you need to take to keep data safe once DBS checks have been carried out

  • Safeguarding

When someone has a criminal record

Guidance on what to do if a staff member or volunteer has a criminal record

  • Safeguarding

What you need to know about whistleblowing

Find out about whistleblowing, and the policies your organisation should have in place.

  • Safeguarding

Deciding to whistleblow

Questions you might ask yourself if you're thinking of raising a concern.

  • Safeguarding

Challenges and issues in whistleblowing

Find out about different types of concerns and ways they can be reported.

  • Safeguarding

Why does language matter?

Find out why it's useful to stay up to date with safeguarding terminology

  • Safeguarding

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

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

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

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

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

APPG on Charities and Volunteering: local partnership working

Join us for a discussion on the future of partnership working between local government and civil society.

Charity trustee induction and refresher (2 x 0.5 days)

This course will give trustees an overview and understanding of charity governance, regulation and best practice

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