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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

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

The FSI to transfer key small charity assets to NCVO on closure

The Foundation for Social Improvement and NCVO have reached an agreement to transfer the FSI’s key charity assets to NCVO when the organisation ceases activity on 3 May 2023

  • Inside NCVO

Small charity support: 5 key points for insfrastructure organisations

  • Collaboration

How to join the Big Help Out

We share stories from people taking part in the Big Help Out and explain how you can get involved and make a difference in your community

  • Involving volunteers

Governance round-up: May 2023

This month we share reflections from our Governance Forum and introduce our new governance consultant

  • Governance

Practical support bulletin: May 2023

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

  • Financial management
  • Funding and income
  • Responding to crises

Raise your voice: Help NCVO and ACEVO develop a manifesto

Share your experiences and views with decision makers ahead of the next general election

  • Government and politics

Exploring new routes into charity employment for over 50s

New Charity Interns project will be hosted by NCVO and offer paid internships to people aged over 50

  • Employing and managing staff
  • Inside NCVO

Impact round-up: Spring 2023

Evaluation consultant Lucy Lernelius takes a deep dive into measuring the impact of volunteering

  • Impact and evaluation

Volunteers’ Week 2023: Building on the legacy of The Big Help Out

Director of strategic communications and insight, Saskia Konynenburg, shares ways to get involved in Volunteers' Week 2023

  • Involving volunteers

Volunteers’ Week 2023: Making volunteering accessible with the Alternative Futures Group

How to make volunteering accessible for people with learning disabilities and mental health conditions

  • Equity, diversity and inclusion

Comparing video conferencing software

Use this page to help you work out if you need to change video calling software. You might decide to use different software and tools for different things.

  • Digital and technology

Understanding systems and tools for sharing eLearning

More information on eLearning resources, tools and systems

  • Digital and technology

Delivering successful online surveys and choosing the right survey platform

Use this page to learn about getting good survey response rates, get tips on survey design and compare different survey platforms.

  • Digital and technology

Choosing new software or digital tools

Advice on how to choose digital tools for your voluntary organisation

  • Digital and technology

Using our plan for choosing new software or tools

Use this page to understand why you should plan software selection and how you should approach it.

  • Digital and technology

Setting out your new software project

Use this page to learn about the first steps you should take before you begin to think about new software. They help you set out what you already know.

  • Digital and technology

Working out what the software or tool needs to do

Use this page to help you prioritise the things that matter most to your organisation and the people who'll use the new technology.

  • Digital and technology

Getting ideas and support when choosing software

How to compare and consider different digital tools and software

  • Digital and technology

Comparing software and making decisions

Use this page to understand how to create a comparison grid (or assessment framework) and make decisions around digital tools

  • Digital and technology

Reflection and learning about software or tools

How to test and learn to make sure you're using the right tools in the right way

  • Digital and technology

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

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

Safeguarding essentials for trustees (0.5 day)

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

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

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.