Leicester-based charity receives seal of approval

Charity bosses have praised the way a Leicester-based national organisation is being run.

The British Psychological Society, which employs more than 100 staff and caters for nearly 40,000 members, has been found to have “a number of points of good practice” by its regulatory body, the Charity Commission.

The Commission toured the charity’s national headquarters in Princess Road East during a random Review Visit. Five areas of the Society were examined, including its Trusteeship and governance, activities and standards and employment and management of staff. And the subsequent report was very positive.

The Commission said: “The impression gained at the visit was one of a professional and open organisation focused on the delivery of service.”

Keys points of good practice within the organisation, which is a learned society responsible for the development, promotion and application of psychology for the public good, included:

• Appropriate strategic planning and working to an operational plan.
• Implementing a structured review of the governing document in a desire to modernise policies, standards and procedures. 
• Undertaking risk analysis as part of governance and management work.
• Employment and management of staff, including complying with relevant legal requirements and acting with respect to the human rights of the individual,

Chief Executive, Barry Brooking said: “We are delighted to have such a positive report which confirms that we are more than meeting the necessary standards. It is due to a great deal of hard work and all parts of the organisation have contributed to our desire to be regarded in the top flight of charities when it comes to how we are governed and managed.

“However, we are not complacent and we look forward to working towards even more efficiency and effectiveness for the benefit of the public and our members.”