Governors' and trustees' codes of conduct: models and examples
Cover all your bases with our model code of conduct. It sets out what you expect from governors and trustees, from core responsibilities to expected behaviours.
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Contents
Download our model code of conduct
- Approved by Forbes Solicitors
- Designed so you can adapt it to your trust's context and set it across your trust so local governors can sign up to it, too
- Takes account of relevant requirements and good practice
KeyDoc: code of conduct model policy - trusts
Tailor the document to reflect:
- Your scheme of delegation
- Any other relevant policies that your trustees/local governors must follow, e.g. social media and IT policies
- Whether your constitutional documents (i.e. articles of association, funding agreement) set out specific requirements for governance procedures and conduct
Make sure all trustees and local governors read and agree to the code of conduct, alongside any other relevant documents or requirements.
It's not a statutory requirement for you to have a code of conduct, but it is something that the Governance Handbook says you "should" have (see page 38).
Important correction to make to your policy if
- Addressing problems with your chair
- Facebook 'cheat sheet' for governors
- Governor meetings: attendance and absence
- How to approach a difficult conversation with another governor
- How to deal with difficult behaviour from governors
- How to manage confidentiality on your governing board
- How to respond to current events
- The Nolan principles
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