London, 24 November 2015 – ICSA, the professional body for governance, is launching a new Certificate in Charity Law and Governance in January 2016 to help support people working in the charity sector whose roles are affected by legal regulation and governance issues. It is aimed at those working in charities (registered and unregistered) in England and Wales.
Louise Thomson, ICSA’s Head of Policy (Not-for-Profit): “The downfall of Kids Company and the financial collapse of the British Association for Adoption and Fostering demonstrate a need for charities to ensure that their governance is robust. Whatever the size of a charity it is essential that the appropriate management and governance procedures are undertaken if funds are to be managed properly to ensure the sustainability of an organisation and maintain the public’s confidence that resources are spent on achieving the charity’s aims. Having someone on the board of a charity who is properly trained in governance can help enormously.”
The course is designed to enhance individuals’ legal and governance knowledge, and is made up of the following six modules:
- Module 1: Charity Law
- Module 2: Structures and Legal Forms
- Module 3: Compliance and Regulation
- Module 4: Governance
- Module 5: Sources of Income
- Module 6: Stewardship of Funds and Assets
Sarah Atkinson, Director of Policy and Communications at the Charity Commission: “Recent high profile events in the charity sector continue to highlight that all trustees and those who support or advise them need a clear understanding of trustee duties, to help avoid some of the common mistakes that often befall charities. That’s why we recommend all trustees read our Essential Trustee Guidance. Trustees of larger or more complex charities, and professional advisors, might also consider the potential benefits of a recognised qualification in charity law and governance. We welcome this new qualification from ICSA.”
The qualification will take approximately 9-12 months or 300 hours of study to complete. Full details can be found on the ICSA website at www.icsa.org.uk/cclg
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For further information, please contact Maria Brookes, Media Relations Manager:
mbrookes@icsa.org.uk
+44 (0)20 7612 7072
+44 (0)7890 649 143
Notes to Editors:
- ICSA: The Governance Institute is the professional body for governance. We have members in all sectors and are required by our Royal Charter to lead ‘effective governance and efficient administration of commerce, industry and public affairs’. With more than 120 years’ experience, we work with regulators and policy makers to champion high standards of governance and provide qualifications, training and guidance.
Website: www.icsa.org.uk - Full details of the Certificate in Charity Law and Governance can be found on the ICSA website at www.icsa.org.uk/cclg
