The company's objectives are to foster and promote the advancement of education, the relief of poverty and sickness and any other charitable purposes for the benefit of the public.
The overall aim is to promote independence, increase choice and provide more appropriate support to people to make the most of their capacity and potential.
This page highlights the following key areas of our Governance (click on the appropriate link to take you directly to the section):
- Governing Documents
- Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees
- Trustee Induction and Training
- Risk Management
- Organisational Structure
The organisation is a charitable company that is limited by guarantee. It was incorporated on 24 September 2004 and registered as a charity on 12 September 2005. The company has been established under a Memorandum of Association which defines the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.
Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees
The members of the Board of Directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law and under the company's Articles of Association are known as Trustees. Under the requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Association the Trustees are elected to serve for a period of three years after which they must be re-elected at the next Annual General Meeting.
An extensive range of business and caring skills are well represented on the Board. In an effort to maintain this broad skill mix, members of the Trustees have provided a skills profile. In the event that the skills profile is changed due to Trustee retirements, individuals are approached to offer themselves for election to the Board.
Trustee Induction and Training
The Trustees are already familiar with the practical work of the charity having been involved with the activities of the charity since its inception and having received a detailed induction provided by the Chief Executive.
Additionally, new trustees are invited and encouraged to attend a series of short training sessions to familiarise themselves with the charity and the context within which it operates. These are jointly led by the Chief Executive of the charity and cover:
- The obligations of Trustees.
- The main documents which set out the operational framework for the charity including the Memorandum and Articles.
- Resourcing and the current financial position as set out in the latest published accounts.
- Future plans and objectives.
An induction pack has also been prepared drawing information from the various Charity Commission publications signposted through the Commission's guide "the Essential Trustee" as a follow up to these sessions. This is distributed to all new trustees along with the Memorandum and Articles and the latest financial statements. Feedback from trustees about their induction has been very positive.
The Executive Management Team has conducted a review of the major risks to which the charity is exposed. These reviews will be updated at least annually. Where appropriate, systems or procedures have been established to mitigate the risks the charity faces. External risks to funding have led to the development of a strategic plan which will allow for the diversification of funding and activities. Internal control risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for authorisation of all transactions and projects. Procedures are in place to ensure compliance with health and safety of staff, volunteers, clients and visitors to the company. The contracts and service level agreements with the charity's partners provide for regular review of the quality of service delivered. Quality standards have been established that meet or exceed the contractual commitments. The charity is subject to external quality audit by the Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI), Financial and Monitoring unit of JobcentrePlus (FAM). These procedures will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of the charity.
Pure Innovations has a Board of up to 8 members who meet every two months and are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the charity. At present the Board has five members from a variety of interest and professional backgrounds relevant to the work of the charity. The Secretary is also a member of the Board.
A scheme of delegation is in place and day to day responsibility for the provision of the services rest with the Chief Executive along with the other members of the Executive Management Team. The Chief Executive is responsible for ensuring that the charity delivers the services specified and that key performance indicators are met. The Chief Executive also has responsibility for the day to day operational management of the company, individual supervision of the Executive Management team and also ensuring that the team continues to develop their skills and working practices in line with good practice.
