Organisations require a clear, appropriate and coherent set of policies and procedures to ensure that they are well governed and run.  These should be reviewed regularly – at least annually – at Board level to ensure that they are up to date and reflect not only the national and legal landscape but also the organisation’s ways of working.  Policies and procedures –

• Ensure compliance with the law and regulations;
• Provide controls and a framework for delegation by the board of trustees to staff or volunteers that set out how things should be done and expectations;
• Give transparency and accountability that the board of trustees will be conducting the work of the charity appropriately;
• Limit risk.

Policies are clear, simple statements of how your organisation intends to conduct its services, actions or business and provide a set of guiding principles to help with decision making. Procedures describe how each policy will be put into action in your organisation and should outline:

• Who will do what
• What steps they need to take
• Which forms or documents to use

Procedures might just be a few bullet points or instructions. Policies and Procedures can in some cases be outlined in one coherent document – you do not always need separate ones.

Core Policies

Health and Safety – this is essential: you must have a written health and safety policy if you employ five or more people. An organisation of any size must conduct a health and safety risk assessment

Safeguarding policy for children and young people and/or vulnerable adults (where applicable)

Data Protection and GDPR (including a Privacy Policy)

Equality & Diversity Policy

Risk management

Finance – including a financial procedures manual and a reserves policy

Board basics – a Trustee Code of Conduct; Conflict of interest policy; and Trustee Expenses policy

If you would like advice or examples of any of these please contact  sharon@rainbowservices.org.uk