committee resource folder · o use it to file important paperwork for your group, for example...

COMMITTEE RESOURCE

FOLDER

Guidance for committee members working with early years and childcare

providers and out-of-school groups

Please note- ‘The information contained in this guidance is for general information purposes only. While every effort has been made to keep the

information up to date and correct, Suffolk County Council (SCC) make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the

completeness, accuracy, reliability or suitability with respect to the information contained within the guidance. Any reliance placed on such information is therefore strictly at the organisations own risk. SCC is not

responsible for, and expressly disclaims all liability for, damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on any information contained

within this guidance (April 2013)’

Committee Toolkit (June 2015) 2

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 3

COMMITTEE DETAILS .......................................................................................... 4 COMMITTEE HANDOVER CHECKLIST ..................................................................... 5 CONTACT DETAILS ....................................................................................................... 7 COMMITTEE CONTACT DETAILS .............................................................................. 8 SUB COMMITTEES ...................................................................................................... 10 COMMITTEE JOB DESCRIPTIONS ............................................................................ 11

CHAIRPERSON ........................................................................................................ 11

SECRETARY ............................................................................................................. 11 TREASURER ............................................................................................................ 12 COMMITTEE MEMBER .......................................................................................... 12

STAFFING ................................................................................................................. 13 HEALTH AND SAFETY ........................................................................................... 13

MARKETING/PUBLICITY ........................................................................................ 13

FUND RAISING: ....................................................................................................... 13

COMMITTEE MEETING GUIDANCE ................................................................... 14 MINUTES OF MEETINGS ............................................................................................ 15

ANNUAL REPORTS ...................................................................................................... 15

BUSINESS OBJECTIVES .................................................................................... 16 Business Plan ................................................................................................................... 16 Marketing Plan ................................................................................................................ 16

LEGAL DOCUMENTS AND REQUIREMENTS ................................................... 17 Constitution ................................................................................................................ 17

Articles of Association or Memorandum (if applicable) ....................................... 17 Charities Commission details and Charity Number ............................................. 17

Companies house details (if applicable) ............................................................... 17 Insurance details (copy of Insurance Certificate) ................................................ 17

List of DBS Disclosure numbers for Committee members ................................. 17 Lease or Licence agreement .................................................................................. 17

List of Providers (LoP) .............................................................................................. 17 Health and Safety Risk Assessment and Fire Risk Assessment ...................... 17

Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) Assessment ................................................. 17

Data Protection information ..................................................................................... 17

Storage of information (how long documentation should be kept for) .............. 17

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT ................................................................................ 18 Audited accounts ...................................................................................................... 18

Break Even analyses ................................................................................................ 18

Cash flow forecasts .................................................................................................. 18 Fund raising and grant information ........................................................................ 18

STAFF MANAGEMENT ....................................................................................... 19 Employment Policy ................................................................................................... 19

Disciplinary Procedures ........................................................................................... 19 Staff Appraisal information ...................................................................................... 19

OFSTED ............................................................................................................... 20 Copy of Ofsted Registration Certificate ................................................................. 20 Latest Ofsted report .................................................................................................. 20

Correspondence from Ofsted .................................................................................. 20

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP ........................................................................ 21 RETENTION PERIOD FOR RECORDS .............................................................. 22 USEFUL CONTACT DETAILS ............................................................................. 24


INTRODUCTION

o This folder is intended to help your committee members, especially the

three key officers: Chair, Treasurer and Secretary

o It gives information for new committee members and on-going advice.

o Use it to file important paperwork for your group, for example details of your constitution, lease etc.

o The folder is designed to serve as a comprehensive handover pack to

be passed from outgoing committee officers to new officers.

o The information in this folder is correct at the time of production. However your group must keep it up to date with, for example, information about new laws which affect you.

o The suggested information is not an exhaustive list, and you should feel

free to include any information you feel is useful to your group. Where documents are stored elsewhere, you should signpost to the relevant folders.

o If you require any guidance on using this committee toolkit, or any

advice about committee working in general, please contact Suffolk Families Information Service (FIS) 0345 60 800 33.


COMMITTEE DETAILS

The following information can be stored in this section:

Committee handover procedures and checklist (this provides a comprehensive checklist of actions that need to be completed following election of new officers)

Committee contact details

Sub Committee details

Committee Job Descriptions (these will be useful in helping new officers and committee members to understand the roles they are taking on)

Minutes of Meetings (main committee meetings, sub committee meetings, AGMs, EGMs)

Annual Reports


COMMITTEE HANDOVER CHECKLIST

ACTIONS FOLLOWING APPOINTMENT OF NEW OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS AT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

It is important for out-going committee officers to meet up with newly elected committee officers to ensure a good handover process. Keeping this committee toolkit up to date will help to support this process. The following is a checklist of the procedures that need to be followed after the election of new officers, along with the relevant contact details to support you with this.

What needs to be done?

When should it be done?

Who should do it?

Prepare contact list of Committee Officers and Members

Information preferably gathered at AGM, then typed up and distributed to all Committee members

Secretary

Set date for first meeting of new Committee

Date preferably set at AGM, and Agenda circulated in due course.

Secretary

Go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Within first week All new Committee members – Chair to co-ordinate

Notify Ofsted of Committee changes –via Email and keep a copy of correspondence.

Within first week Chair

Notify Charities Commission and/or Companies House of Committee changes


Notify Bank of changes to Officers (and if appropriate arrange for changes to signatories)

Within first week Treasurer

Notify Families Information Service of changes – 0345 60 800 33


Ensure all Committee Officers and Members are aware of confidentiality procedures, and sign a Confidentiality Statement (template for this is below)

At first meeting of new Committee

Chair

Ensure all new Officers and Members are aware of the Committee roles and responsibilities


Chair

Organise handover of relevant documents


Chair, Secretary, Treasurer

https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service


CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT

are committed to following clear procedures to ensure the confidentiality of all children and staff within our setting is respected at all times.

As a Committee Member of I have read and understood the Setting’s Confidentiality Policy, and hereby agree to:

o Keep all matters discussed at Committee meetings or within the setting confidential

o Ensure that I do not discuss any pre-school matters outside of the setting

or committee meetings Signed: Name (Print) Position: Date


CONTACT DETAILS

Organisation Address Telephone

Ofsted Ofsted

Piccadilly Gate

Store Street

Manchester

M1 2WD

Email: [email protected]

0300 123 1231

Charities Commission Charity Commission Direct PO Box 1227 Liverpool L69 3UG www.charities-commission.gov.uk

Companies House Companies House Crown Way Maindy Cardiff CF14 3UZ Email: [email protected]

0303 1234 500

HM Customs and Revenue

St Clare House Princes Street Ipswich Suffolk IP1 1LW

01473 261467

Families Information Service

www.suffolk.gov.uk/family

0345 60 800 33

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.charities-commission.gov.uk/

http://www.charities-commission.gov.uk/



http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/family


COMMITTEE CONTACT DETAILS

Chair Name: Address: Telephone: Email:

Vice-Chair Name: Address: Telephone: Email:

Treasurer Name: Address: Telephone: Email:

Secretary Name: Address: Telephone: Email:

Health & Safety Co-ordinator

Name: Address: Telephone: Email:

Fund-raising Co-ordinator


Safeguarding Co-ordinator

Name: Address: Telephone:


Email:

Publicity and Marketing Co-ordinator


Committee Member


Committee Member


Committee Member


Committee Member



SUB COMMITTEES

You can set up sub-committees to deal with specific issues. In most cases they are made up of committee members only, however if you have a new building project sub-committee or fund raising committee you can invite other parents or people in the community to attend and give their support to the project. Examples of sub committees are:

o Health and Safety o Fund Raising o Personnel and Staff Liaison o Publicity and Marketing o New Building Project

You may wish to detail your group’s sub-committees below>

Sub-Committee Purpose Members


COMMITTEE JOB DESCRIPTIONS

It is the responsibility of ALL COMMITTEE MEMBERS to ensure that;

o The group meets all the legal requirements to operate as a childcare setting and registered charity

o Sound financial systems are established and maintained o Confidentiality is maintained at all times

Below is a summary of roles and responsibilities for Key Officers: Key Officer roles can be carried out jointly, with responsibilities and tasks shared.

CHAIRPERSON

o Be the ‘Nominated Person’ for the group with Ofsted (this role can

alternatively be fulfilled by the setting Leader/Manager) o Oversee the recruitment, induction, training and appraisal systems for all

new staff and volunteers o Line manage the Leader/Manager and any paid office staff, eg

Administrator, Bookkeeper o Conduct the annual appraisals of Leader/manager and any paid office staff o Chair and keep order at committee meetings, conduct voting if required,

and hold the casting vote. o Delegate tasks to other committee members o Act as spokesperson for the setting where necessary o Conduct an Annual General Meeting (AGM) as stated in the setting’s

constitution, and give the Chairperson’s Annual Report o Act as the first point of contact for management issues o Work with the Treasurer and committee to ensure that financial stability is

maintained o Ensure new Committee members are made to feel welcome and have a

sound induction and handover process.

SECRETARY

o Deal with correspondence on behalf of the committee o Prepare and circulate agendas in advance to give committee members the

opportunity to prepare for meetings. o Arrange venues for meetings o Take minutes and keep written records of committee meetings and AGMs. o Ensure minutes are circulated to committee members and staff, and that a

copy is available in the setting’s Operational Plan* (ensuring confidentiality issues are recorded and circulated appropriately)

o Ensure adequate notice is given to all parents/members of the Annual General Meeting (AGM)

o Assist the Chairperson to maintain staff and committee/volunteer records, including Ofsted EY2/EY3 forms and DBS checks

o Maintain an up to date list of committee members and contact details


o Advise appropriate contacts (Ofsted, Families Information Service, Suffolk County Council, Charities Commission) of changes to the committee and/or staff.

o Keep diary dates for renewals such as insurance, Ofsted registration. o Update staff contracts, terms and conditions and job descriptions, following

review by the Committee o Update policies and procedures, following review by staff and Committee o Organise advertising and marketing activities, including updating the

setting’s prospectus, leaflets and posters.

TREASURER

o Work with the committee to ensure the financial stability of the setting is

maintained o Ensure safe accounting systems are in place at all times o Ensure accurate records are kept of all financial transactions o Support the Committee in making financial decisions by providing cash flow

forecasts and information for annual budgeting o Ensure that the setting’s budget allows for contingency/reserve funds to

deal with unexpected repairs and staff redundancy (recommended 3-4 months running costs)

o Review annually, with the Committee, fees and staff salaries, taking into account minimum wage rises, employment legislation and staff qualifications

o Ensure all bills, invoices and wages are paid on time o Arrange collection of fees and issue receipts o Ensure all money from fees and fundraising is banked as soon as possible o Make sure all claims are completed and submitted on time, eg Early

Education grant. o Provide a written financial report at each Committee meeting and Annual

General meeting (AGM) o Ensure end of year accounts are independently examined (in line with

Charity Commission requirements) o Ensure bank mandates are updated for new signatories o Take responsibility for the setting chequebook (never asking officers to sign

blank cheques) o Ensure two officers’ signatures are on each cheque issued o Ensure reconciliation of accounts is carried out weekly, monthly and at the

financial year end o Ensure petty cash system is set up for staff and committee expenses and

ensure expense claims are paid on time o Ensure committee members are aware that they can be reimbursed for

expenses incurred while carrying out their roles as committee members/officers

COMMITTEE MEMBER

o To support the roles of Key Officers as required o To attend committee meetings and AGMs o Be familiar with the group’s constitution, policies and procedures and legal

frameworks (EYFS/Ofsted)


Additional specific areas of responsibility can be delegated as follows: STAFFING: Responsibility for the safe recruitment of staff and volunteers, induction, training, staff development, appraisals, employment law etc It is ultimately the committee which are responsible for the managing of the leader of the provision; this includes having regular one to one meetings and an annual appraisal. It is the leader’s responsibility to fulfil this role to the rest of the staff in the setting. Having regular one to one meetings are important to effectively manage the leader and ensure they are carrying out their role and to provide the leader with an opportunity to raise any concerns or training needs they feel they might have. If at any point the committee receive a safeguarding allegation about the leader they should follow the allegations against staff process on suffolkcpd. If a safeguarding allegation is received for any other member of staff, the leader or designated safeguarding officer should carry out the same process. The leader must notify the chair or safeguarding committee officer of the allegation.

HEALTH AND SAFETY: Responsibility for ensuring the setting is a safe place for children and adults, including

o safety standards and checks of toys and equipment o building and ground checks o risk assessments o ensuring fire drill records, visitors book and first aid box are maintained o maintaining staff awareness of health and safety issues

MARKETING/PUBLICITY

Advertising and marketing, including newsletters, prospectus, posters

FUND RAISING:

Organise fund raising events, establish annual fund raising plan/calendar


COMMITTEE MEETING GUIDANCE

Preparing for the Meeting Venue

o Is the venue accessible? (Are there adequate parking facilities? Is there wheelchair access?

o Is there enough space, and furniture, to comfortably accommodate all invitees?

o Is the venue free from distractions? (When meetings are held in a Committee Member’s home, there can often be interruptions from children, telephone calls etc)

o Is the venue suitable for confidential discussion? (avoid holding meetings in a public place where discussions could be overheard)

Time

o Is the time of the meeting convenient for invitees? (If meetings are held during the day, does this exclude invitees who are working? Does the time fit in with childcare arrangements?

o Is enough notice given to allow invitees to make arrangements to attend, including organising childcare?

Documents

o Has Agenda been circulated? o Have minutes of last meeting been circulated?

Conducting the Meeting (Chair)

o Ensure there is a quorum present (in line with your Constitution) o Ensure there is somebody present to take the Minutes (usually Secretary). o Ensure that sensitive discussions are recorded in an appropriate way to

ensure that any individual or family cannot be identified, and to avoid causing any embarrassment.

o Open meeting by welcoming Members (and outline housekeeping procedures if necessary)

o Remind all present of the need to maintain confidentiality and to respect the opinions of other members

o Record list of attendees and any Apologies for Absence o Ensure everybody present has received a copy of the Agenda and previous

Minutes o Discuss and sign Minutes from previous meeting, and update on any

matters arising or agreed actions from previous meeting o Keep to the Agenda and Time frame o Ensure any decisions/votes are duly recorded o Clarify any Actions arising from discussions, ensuring these are duly

recorded o Set date for next meeting o Close meeting


After the Meeting

o Type up and circulate minutes (Secretary). These should be accessible to parents, it is suggested a copy is placed on the Notice Board or in the setting’s Operational Plan.

MINUTES OF MEETINGS

A copy of the minutes of meetings, from the last year, should be kept in this section and will include minutes from:

o Committee meetings o Sub-committee meetings o Annual General Meetings o Extraordinary General Meetings

Please note: The Secretary should have a file which has all the original minutes in. These should be kept for as long as the group exists.

ANNUAL REPORTS

o The Annual Report is produced by the Chair of the Committee and read out

at the group’s Annual General Meeting. o A copy of the Annual Report should be kept in this section.

o A copy of the Annual Report is usually sent to the Charity Commission with

the Annual Returns and Financial Accounts each year.


BUSINESS OBJECTIVES


Business Plan

All groups should have an up to date Business Plan which outlines the aims and objectives of the group along with the vision and development plans for the future. If your group does not have a Business Plan, please contact the Families Information Service who can arrange support with developing one.

Marketing Plan

This sets out your marketing and advertising plans for the year and is an important document for helping to ensure the sustainability and growth of your group.


LEGAL DOCUMENTS AND REQUIREMENTS The following information can be stored in this section:

Constitution

Articles of Association or Memorandum (if applicable)

Charities Commission details and Charity Number

Companies house details (if applicable)

Insurance details (copy of Insurance Certificate)

List of DBS Disclosure numbers for Committee members

Lease or Licence agreement

List of Providers (LoP)

Health and Safety Risk Assessment and Fire Risk Assessment

Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) Assessment

Data Protection information

Storage of information (how long documentation should be kept for)


FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT


Audited accounts

Break Even analyses

Cash flow forecasts

Fund raising and grant information

List of Providers – Early Years funding audit, if and when this is carried out by Suffolk County Council


STAFF MANAGEMENT


Employment Policy

Disciplinary Procedures

Staff Appraisal information


OFSTED The following information can be stored in this section:

Copy of Ofsted Registration Certificate

Latest Ofsted report

Correspondence from Ofsted


PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP


Information on any organisations your provision may be a member of.


RETENTION PERIOD FOR RECORDS

Retention periods for records How long to be retained

FINANCIAL RECORDS

Accounting records

3 years from the end of the financial year for private companies, 6 years for public limited companies. 6 years for charities

Milk Forms Keep with Annual Accounts 6 years

Funding Forms Keep with Annual Accounts 6 years

ADMINISTRATION RECORDS

Insurance Certificates 40 years from the date insurance commences.

Minutes/minute books

10 years from the date of the meeting for companies. 6 years from the date of the meeting for Charitable Incorporated Organisations.

Complaint Records 10 Years

PERSONNEL RECORDS

Personnel files and training records (including disciplinary records and working time records)

6 years after employment ceases

DBS checks 6 months

Interviewing paperwork is not employed 6 Months

Pay

Wage/salary records (including overtime, bonuses and expenses)

6 years

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) records 3 years after the end of the tax year to which they relate


Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) records 3 years after the end of the tax year to which they relate

Income tax and National Insurance returns/records

At least 3 years after the end of the tax year to which they relate

Redundancy details, calculations of payments and refunds

6 years after employment ends

Health and Safety

Staff accident records (for organisations with 10 or more employees)

3 years after the date the record was made

Records of any reportable death, injury, disease or dangerous occurrence


Accident/medical records as specified by the Control of Substances hazardous to Health regulations (COSHH)

40 years from the date of the last entry

CHILDREN’S RECORDS

Children’s records – including registers, medication records and accident records pertaining to the children

A reasonable period of time after children have left the provision (e.g. until after the next Ofsted inspection) Until the child reaches the age of 21 – or until the child reaches the age of 24 for child protection records

Records of any reportable death, injury, disease or dangerous occurrence


Children Registration Forms

If your group has got Pre-school Learning Alliance insurance, useful to keep 10 years

Register of Children 2 YEARS

Children Profiles Passed onto the next provider and parent or otherwise 1 year.

Accident Book 2 years after date of last entry

Child Protection Records Indefinite

Ofsted Reports Useful to keep until next Ofsted inspection.

Early Years Childcare Service Reports Useful to retain to next Ofsted inspection


USEFUL CONTACT DETAILS

CONTACT NAME ADDRESS

PHONE WEBSITE

Ofsted

Piccadilly Gate

Store Street

Manchester

M1 2WD

Email: [email protected]

0300 123 1231 www.ofsted.gov.uk

Customer First For safeguarding referrals

0808 800 4005

LADO Allegations against professionals:

0300 123 2044

Suffolk Safeguarding Board

www.suffolkscb.org.uk

Suffolk County Council

www.suffolk.gov.uk

Families Information Service

0345 60 800 33 www.suffolk.gov.uk/family

Workforce Development Team

01473 260464 www.suffolkcpd.co.uk

Child Exploration and Online Protection (CEOP’s)

0870 000 3344 www.thinkyouknow.co.uk

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-

service-check

Capital Education Resourcing

0800 731 6871 www.capitaers.co.uk



http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/

http://www.suffolkscb.org.uk/

http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/

http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/family

http://www.suffolkcpd.co.uk/

http://www.thinkyouknow.co.uk/

http://www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check

http://www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check

http://www.capitaers.co.uk/


Information Commissioner’s Office

0303 123 1113 www.ico.gov.uk

Directgov www.direct.gov.uk

HM Revenue and Customs

www.hmrc.gov.uk

Business Link www.gov.uk

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

www.dwp.gov.uk

Office for Disability Issues

www.odi.dwp.gov.uk

Equality and Human Rights commission

0207 832 7800 www.equalityhumanrights.com

National Children’s Bureau

020 7843 6000 www.ncb.org.uk

Every Disabled Child Matters

020 7843 6082 www.edcm.org.uk

Pre-School Learning Alliance East Division

01954 232 327 www.pre-school.org.uk

Community Action Suffolk

01743 345 400 www.comminityactionsuffolk.org.u

k

Suffolk Association of Voluntary Organisations (SAVO)

www.communityactionsuffolk.org.

uk

Charities Commission Charity Commission Direct PO Box 1227 Liverpool L69 3UG

www.charity-commission.gov.uk

Companies House Crown Way Maindy Cardiff CF14 3UZ Email:

0303 1234 500

http://www.ico.gov.uk/

http://www.direct.gov.uk/

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/

http://www.gov.uk/

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/

http://www.odi.dwp.gov.uk/

http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/

http://www.ncb.org.uk/

http://www.edcm.org.uk/

http://www.pre-school.org.uk/

http://www.comminityactionsuffolk.org.uk/

http://www.comminityactionsuffolk.org.uk/

http://www.communityactionsuffolk.org.uk/

http://www.communityactionsuffolk.org.uk/

http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/


[email protected]

HM Revenue Customs

www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs

Health and Safety Executive

www.hse.gov.uk

RIDDOR Reporting

www.hse.gov.uk/riddor

COSHH www.hse.gov.uk/coshh

Food Standards Agency

020 7276 8829 www.food.gov.uk

Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents

121 248 2000 www.rospa.com/childsafety

Safekids www.safekids.co.uk




http://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs

http://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs

http://www.hse.gov.uk/

http://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor

http://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh

http://www.food.gov.uk/

http://www.rospa.com/childsafety

http://www.safekids.co.uk/