NCVO publishes set of ethical principles for charities

Posted on: January 18, 2019

Originally published by charitytimes: www.charitytimes.com


Written by Charity Times staff writer
18/01/19

The NCVO has launched its Charity Ethical Principles guidance, aimed at providing a benchmark of good practice among the sector.

The new guidance, formerly the Charity Code of Ethics, follows months of consultation and engagement with charities of all sizes.

Governing bodies, staff and volunteers are being encouraged to actively consider the principles and how they can integrate them throughout their work.

A summary of the feedback has been published alongside the guidance, showing the sector’s positive response towards the principles.

Putting beneficiaries first, integrity, openness and the right to be safe have constituted the overarching principles of the finished document. Each of the principles is accompanied by guidance on how it can be upheld, providing broad, instructive statements that charities using the code should observe.

In response to feedback, the original proposed title of Charity Code of Ethics has been changed to Charity Ethical Principles, to make clear that the guidance is intended as complementary to existing codes such as the Charity Governance Code, and also makes clear its status as a voluntary framework.

Commenting on the guidance, Dame Mary Marsh, who led on drafting the principles said: “It has been a privilege to lead this important piece of work and I would like to thank all those who contributed so thoughtfully.

“These principles demonstrate how much we all want to live our values in everything we do and show the public that charities aim to be places where everyone meets the highest ethical standards.’

NCVO chief executive, Sir Stuart Etherington added: “NCVO is pleased to have supported the development of the Charity Ethical Principles. I hope they will be widely used by charities in their decision making and in the development of their policies and procedures. This work does not end here and we are open to further development of this important guidance once organisations have started to use it as part of their decision making.’

You can download the full principles here.

Author: Steering Member
Posted:
Categories: News

Related Posts

Men’s Wellbeing Event – 10th June 2025

Join MIND Mid and North East Essex for an important and welcoming morning focused on men’s mental health at the upcoming Men’s Wellbeing Event, taking place on Tuesday 10th June 2025 at Colchester Rugby Club (Raven Bar), CO4 5YX. 🕗 Event Details: Date: Tuesday 10th June 2025 Time: 08:00am – 10:30am Location: Colchester Rugby Club
Read more…

Read more...

Affordable Food Network Coordinator

The Affordable Food Network Coordinator will support and oversee the development of the Affordable Food Network (made up of social or community supermarkets and other affordable food initiatives in Essex), providing centralised support to social supermarkets and other affordable food initiatives. The coordinator will work as part of a countywide team to develop and embed
Read more…

Read more...