Charities Governance Code record

Two questions so we show you the right standards. These aren't scored.

1. Is your charity complex (additional standards apply)?
2. Does your charity fundraise from the public (for example collections, online donations, events or appeals)?

Everyone working in and for your charity, whether trustee, staff or volunteer, should know their role and be well supported.

1. Is everyone clear about their role: trustees, any staff and volunteers? Chairperson
2. Are there arrangements for involving volunteers effectively, such as induction, support and someone they can go to? Volunteer coordinator
3. If you have paid staff, are your employment arrangements compliant with employment law (contracts, payroll, working time, policies)? Answer 'Not applicable' if you have no staff. CEO or HR lead
4. Has the board agreed the operational policies your charity needs to guide how people act (for example safeguarding, data protection, health and safety, expenses)? Secretary

From the help text

Standard 3.1 asks for clarity about the roles of everyone working in and for your charity. 'Yes' means short role descriptions and a shared understanding of what's delegated.

Staying within the law, managing money carefully and planning for what could go wrong.

1. Have trustees checked that the charity's legal form and governing document are still fit for purpose? Secretary
2. Have trustees identified the laws and regulations that apply to your charity, and are you complying with them? Secretary
3. Are there appropriate financial controls to manage and account for the charity's money, such as dual authorisation, monthly reconciliations and regular finance reports to the board? Knock-out Treasurer
4. When did the board last review the risks your charity faces and how they're managed? Board of trustees
5. Has the board checked that the charity has appropriate and adequate insurance cover? Treasurer

From the help text

Standard 4.1 asks you to decide whether your legal form and governing document remain fit for purpose.

Donors trust you with their money. The Code asks you to follow the Regulator's fundraising guidelines.

Asked only if you answer “Yes” to: Does your charity fundraise from the public (for example collections, online donations, events or appeals)?

1. Have trustees read the Charities Regulator's guidelines on fundraising from the public, and does your charity follow them? Fundraising lead
2. Are there controls over donations, such as two people counting cash collections, secure online giving and honouring any restrictions donors place on their gifts? Treasurer

From the help text

Standard 4.3 asks charities that fundraise publicly to read and adhere to the Regulator's guidelines. 'Yes' means the board has reviewed your practice against them.

A board with the right skills, good meetings and a habit of reviewing itself.

1. Does the board have trustees with the skills needed for key roles such as Chair, Treasurer and Secretary? Chairperson
2. How many board meetings did you hold in the last 12 months? Secretary
3. Do board agendas always cover activities, finances and conflicts of interest, and are accurate minutes kept of decisions? Secretary
4. What is your position on term limits for trustees? Secretary
5. Do new trustees get an induction, and do all trustees understand their role, the governing document and the Charities Governance Code? Secretary
6. When did the board last review how it operates? Chairperson

From the help text

Standard 5.1 asks you to identify trustees with the necessary skills for designated roles. 'Yes' means each officer role is filled by someone suited to it.

If your charity is complex, the Code adds standards across the principles. They build on the core standards you've just covered.

Asked only if you answer “Yes” to: Is your charity complex (additional standards apply)?

1. Is there a strategic plan with operational plans, and a system for monitoring progress and evaluating how effective your work is? CEO
2. Are the roles, legal duties and delegated decision-making powers of trustees, committees and staff documented? Secretary
3. Is there a formal risk register that the board reviews regularly? CEO
4. Is there a trustee succession plan that considers diversity, plus regular skills audits and training for trustees? Chairperson
5. Do you produce full (unabridged) financial accounts and make them, and your annual report, widely available? Treasurer

From the help text

Additional standards 1.6 and 1.7 ask complex charities for a strategic plan, associated operational plans and a system to monitor progress and evaluate effectiveness.

Being open with the people you serve and fund you, then pulling it together in the Compliance Record Form that trustees approve each year.

1. Do your name and Registered Charity Number (RCN) appear on your website, letters, emails, fundraising materials and other communications? Secretary
2. Have you identified your stakeholders, decided how to communicate with them and how to involve them in planning and review? Board of trustees
3. Is there a procedure for dealing with queries, comments and complaints? Secretary
4. Do you meet the reporting requirements of all your funders and donors on time? Treasurer or CEO
5. Has a Compliance Record Form been completed for the current year, recording the actions and evidence for each standard, and approved at a board meeting? Knock-out Secretary
6. In your most recent annual report to the Charities Regulator, what did you declare about compliance with the Code? Secretary
7. I confirm that the trustees have reviewed and signed off this year's Compliance Record Form at a board meeting, and that this record reflects our practice. Chairperson

From the help text

Standard 6.1 asks you to show your charity's name and RCN on your materials. 'Yes' means it's on everything the public sees.