Good Governance
Providing support to organisations to improve their Governance Arrangements

We have experience of working to support and develop the capacity of public sector organisations, such as LSPs, Local Authorities, and regeneration partnerships, as well as voluntary and community sector organisations. We have worked with 30 organisations in developing Good Governance.

The function of governance is to ensure that an organisation or partnership fulfils its overall purpose, achieves its intended outcomes for citizens and service users, and operates in an effective, efficient and ethical manner.

The imperative for public service performance improvement means all organisations that work for the public, using public money, must have effective governance arrangements.

Good governance arrangements provide clear structures for understanding the roles, responsibilities, parameters, and powers of all stakeholders; it also encourages the public trust and participation that enables services to improve; bad governance fosters the low morale and adversarial relationships that lead to poor performance or even, ultimately, to dysfunctional organisations.

The 6 principles of Good Governance
1. Focusing on the organisation's purpose and on outcomes for citizens and users
2. Promoting values for the whole organisation and demonstrating good governance through behaviour
3. Taking informed transparent decisions and managing risk
4. Developing the capacity of the governing body to be effective
5. Performing effectively in clearly defined roles
6. Engaging stakeholders and making accountability real

The Good Governance Programme

Good Governance is essential for the effective, efficient and ethical running of any organisation. The back to work company has a tool kit which is available to be purchased together with a half day facilitated workshop.

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust completed a 'refresh' of the programme, having been given a Good Governance award. The tool kit was used separately by the Board and Governors.

Wakefield Strategic Partnership (LSP) completed a Good Governance workshop which formed part of its drive for improvement.

The following provides an outline on how the programme works:

STAGE 1: The Initial Meeting

STAGE 2 : The Self-Assessment Session for the Board

STAGE 3 : The Service User/Partner Session - providing a 360 degree appraisal

After the self-assessment sessions the contact within the organisation will use the Master Copy to gather the evidence required to support the results of the sessions, this will also be used to further identify where the gaps are and to consider what key actions need to be taken in order to improve Governance arrangements - all this information and documentation can be stored in the Workbook ringbinder for convenience.

STAGE 4 : Action Planning

STAGE 5 : After Completion of the Good Governance Process we will re-visit your organisation after 3 months to monitor progress on your Action Plan, and offer support and guidance where needed