Governance support

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Our work in supporting good governance in foundation trusts is based on the clear statement, that: Corporate governance is the system by which companies and other board-led organisations are directed and controlled.

Good governance provides ambitious, effective, prudent direction that helps deliver success over time. It is the business of the board and is distinct from the day-to-day operational management that is carried out by executives and the management structure they head. Corporate governance is ‘what the board does’, so it is the business of every NHS foundation trust and every NHS trust working towards foundation trust status.

Corporate governance is the system by which companies and other board-led organisations are directed and controlled.

The Foundations of Good Governance: a compendium of best practice’ produced by the Foundation Trust Network and Beachcroft, provides practical support to those concerned with implementing the systems and processes that support good governance. In addition to this publication we recommend two definitive resources: Monitor’s ‘Code of Governance for NHS foundation trusts’; and ‘The healthy NHS board: principles for good governance’.

In addition to these documents that provide specific support to foundation trusts,  the Financial Reporting Council’s (FRC) ‘UK Corporate Governance Code’ provides an up to date source of reference for the private sector which can be read across to NHS foundation trusts. The FRC has also produced ‘Guidance on Board Effectiveness’ to complement the UK Corporate Governance Code and which is a useful source of advice for boards.

Advice and support

The FTN is able to provide specific advice and support to member organisations across a range of foundation trust governance issues.
Contact: john.coutts@foundationtrustnetwork.org

Training and development

The FTN sponsors a number of development programmes for company secretaries, executive directors, chairs and non-executives directors as well as for governors - please see Learning and Development. We are also able to either provide or signpost development opportunities across a range of governance issues as well as providing speakers for events at your trust or in your region.

Toolkits

To support you in your work with your members and governors, the FTN has developed two online toolkits.

• Membership toolkit
• Supporting FT governors toolkit