The Charity Commission will refresh its safeguarding strategy in light of the Goddard Inquiry into historic sexual abuse allegations, its chief executive Paula Sussex announced today.
A blog outlining the Commission's plans over the coming year, published today, Sussex said the inquiry is “likely to have significant implications for all charities working with children and vulnerable adults”, as well as public authorities, including the Commission.
As part of efforts to increase safeguarding, Sussex said the regulator would refresh its strategy though its expanded Safeguarding Advisory Group and by communicating lessons to trustees and charity staff.
The announcement comes as part of the regulator’s strategic plan for the coming year.
Four key strategic priorities proposed by the Commission for the period 2016-17, include “protecting charities from abuse or mismanagement”, “enabling trustees to run charities effectively”, “encouraging greater transparency and accountability” and “operating as an efficient, expert regulator with sustainable funding”.
An efficiency push by the regulator will see it increase value for money through the redesign of its business processes and the adoption of better technology.
But Sussex warned the planned digital transformation would not compensate for the increase in workload seen over the past year.
“We are under-resourced and demand is increasing,” she said. “We will continue to explore how to ensure we are funded sustainbably”.
As part of efforts to protect charities from mismanagements, Sussex said the regulator will “work hard” to ensure charity staff are trained to use the new powers granted through the Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Act 2016 - and that these powers are communicated clearly to trustees.
The regulator will also develop its risk-based assessment of new cases and intensify proactive work - including visits, monitoring and accountancy casework and thematic work – with a view to “shifting away from reactive casework”.
Sussex revealed the regulator will work with Cass Business School on a “major piece of research”, looking at trustee awareness and capability to identify areas for improvement.
To encourage greater transparency, the regulator will launch a new online search function and pump additional resources into its regulator to “ensure it remains accurate and meets regulatory needs”.
