CHILDREN’S TRUST AN OUTLINE DRAFT CONSTITUTION and TERMS OF REFERENCE

Item	Comments
Constitution of the Trust	Recommending that the Constitution is for the Trust, including reference to the Trust Board and other groups. This provides an opportunity to be more inclusive in approach.
1. The Vision
2. Objectives
3. Organisation	Diagram of planning arrangements to bee included.
5. Meetings of the Trust The Trust will meet on an annual basis (in February?) and at such other times as may be directed by the Chair or Vice Chair of the Trust	Suggesting an annual meeting of the Trust as a whole - this provides the opportunity to celebrate success etc - could be a big and inclusive event
6. Chair and Vice Chair of the Trust
7. The Children's Trust Board
7.1 Membership of the Trust Board The initial membership of the Trust Board shall be: The Key Partners shall agree any changes to the initial membership	Any co-opted members?
7.2. Meetings and Conduct of Board Members
The Board Members shall attend Annual and Quarterly meetings of the Trust Board and such other meetings as may from time to time be called by the Chair or Vice Chair of the Trust. The Annual meeting shall take place in (January?) and the dates of the Quarterly meetings shall be set at each Annual meeting. Trust Board Members are required to conduct themselves in a proper and professional manner in carrying out the work of the Trust and, where any conflict of interest arises they will declare the same to the Chair of the relevant meeting. Members and Officers of the Council will abide by the code of conduct and financial regulations set down in the Constitution of the Council financial regulations. Officers of the PCT and NHS Trust will abide by ??????	Confirm quarterly meetings. Confirm annual meeting in January - ie. month before annual meeting of the Trust. If other members are co-opted what codes of conduct will they abide by?
7.4. Selection Chair and Vice Chair of the Trust Board
7.5 Responsibility of the Trust Board The Trust Board shall be responsible for: Ensuring the objectives of the Trust are achieved Ensuring arrangements are in place for effective consultation with key stakeholders, including children, young people and their families Publishing an annual report and business plan with clear objectives and targets. This should include financial details and budget plans Monitoring the progress and development of the Trust Ensuring there is good joint working, with integrated services where appropriate. This will include preventing duplication, addressing gaps in provision and optimising the use of resources Ensuring all members of the community have fair and equitable access to services
7.6 Accountability of the Trust Board The Trust Board will provide reports to ……………………….. The Trust Board shall be accountable to the Key Partners.
7.7.Arrangements for Meetings Includes availability of public papers.	Will meetings be open to the public? Once this is decided further work will be done on this section?
7.8 Decision Making Four members of the Trust Board shall constitute a quorum providing that those present include at least one representative from each Key Partner Decisions will be reached by consensus. If this is not possible there will be a vote. The chair will have the casting vote in the case of a tie. There will be minutes of meetings with decision clearly recorded.
8. Statutory Authorities The Council, the PCT and the NHS Trust each retain responsibility to meet their individual statutory duties and responsibilities
9. The Children's Trust Joint Commissioning Group Membership? Terms of ref? Meetings? Reporting to Exec Board?	Details to be added
10. Conflict Resolution Any irresolvable differences will be referred to the Key Partners.	Is this needed?
11. Arrangements for specialist advice Including financial and legal advice.
12. Complaints	How will complaints about the conduct of the Board and\or Trust be dealt with? The ACPC has a complaints policy which we could alter to fit. Ref could also be made to the complaints procedures for the key partners.
13. Changes to the Constitution of the Trust	Any changes to the Constitution including dissolution shall be agreed by the Key Partners or at the annual meeting of the Trust?

Click here to download Childrens Trust Constitution