CareTech Foundation Trustees’ Report 2019 >> Structure, Governance and Management
Description of the charity
Type of governing document: Memorandum & Articles of Association dated 18 March 2019
How the charity is constituted: Company limited by guarantee, number 11651094
Additional governance issues
In selecting individuals for appointment as trustees, the trustees are required by virtue of the Articles to have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective management of the Foundation. This has been complemented by undertaking a Trustee Skills Audit to inform future recruitment priorities.
Terms of Reference for the Board of Trustees are in place as well as Role Descriptions for the Chair, Treasurer and all trustees. All Trustees have also signed up to the Foundation’s Trustee Code of Conduct.
The Foundation was founded by and is principally funded by CareTech plc. Trustees are made fully aware of the independent nature of their role and a Conflicts of Interest Policy is in place and actively monitored to ensure that any potential conflicts of interest – particularly those concerning the Foundation and CareTech plc – are appropriately managed.
As well as participation in bespoke and paid-for training for trustees, the Foundation is a member of the Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF) and the National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) to ensure that trustees and staff are up to date on best practice aware of developments and are well networked with other leaders within the sector.
Management of Risks
A Management of Risks Policy is in place and an Audit & Risk Committee provides detailed oversight of the effective management of risk. The principal risks recognised over this period in the Foundation’s Risk Register were:
- the need for an incorporated legal structure for the Foundation, which was closed following the completion of the incorporated structures now in place;
- income diversification, With the result that
- the trustees have recently agreed an Income Diversification Strategy to be implemented in FY2019/20 and beyond; and,
- poor delivery of grant-funded programmes due to partner issues and/or in-kind support provided by CareTech plc, which is assessed as a moderate level risk and continues to be monitored.
Monthly reports from the CEO to trustees highlight the current top three risks, following internal review. The full Risk Register is reviewed regularly by the Audit & Risk Committee as well as the full Board of trustees.