Governance Alliance Scotland Services

At Governance Alliance Scotland, we provide a comprehensive range of services, delivered by people who understand housing associations.

Here are some samples of the services that Governance Alliance Scotland team has provided to Scottish housing associations over the last year or so.

Strategy and Planning

• Facilitation of tailor-made strategy and planning events

• Business planning and production of internal management plans

• Strategic Option Appraisals and scenario planning, to help identify alternative futures for organisations

• Interim management, to lead organisations through transition or difficulties

Promoting Good Governance

• Training/development for governing bodies on all aspects of good governance

• Assessments of skills and effectiveness for governing bodies and/or individual members, leading to realistic development plans

• Induction plans for new governing body members

• Customised governing body member handbooks, providing concise “need to know” information in plain English

• Governance “health checks” and risk assessments

• Practical support – whether this is to improve governing body meetings, help chairs and office bearers in their roles, or provide coaching and mentoring for senior staff or senior governing body members

• Independent investigations of governance or management problems

• Facilitating improved relationships and mediation

• Advice on recruitment and succession planning for governing bodies

Governance Frameworks and Policies

• Comprehensive governance reviews for a range of housing associations

• Reviews of standing orders and delegated authorities

• Policy reviews for the full range of governance areas – for example, membership, openness and accountability, payments and benefits etc.

Managing Performance

• Design of performance management, self-assessment and reporting systems

• Advice on how to streamline performance reporting, and enhance governing bodies’ ability to exercise scrutiny and strategic control

• External reviews of performance, to support the planning process

Structures and Partnerships

• Advice on options for collaborative working between housing associations (e.g. through partnerships, consortia and group structures)

• Hands-on support with developing and implementing new structures and partnerships

• Advice on Rule/constitutional changes

• Reviews of committee structures , including follow-on work on committee and sub-committee remits to support new structures

Guidance and Good Practice

• Development of Communities Scotland’s Regulatory Code of Governance and guidance on group structures

• The current model code of conduct for Scottish housing associations (including committee member role descriptions)

• Production of EVH “Jargon Journal” and SFHA Business Continuity Guidance

The Governance Alliance Health Check

It’s not always easy for associations to assess their own performance and identify areas where they may be failing to meet required standards and their own business needs.

One of the key services we offer to housing associations is a Governance Health Check that has been specifically devised to give you the answers.

Symptoms may vary:

• governance practice and structures that no longer match the organisation’s aims and strategy

• a committee or board that has difficulty in attracting new blood

• meetings that are unfocused and go on too long

• standing orders that are difficult to understand and cumbersome to adhere to

• a new Chair, still to build in confidence

• strained relationships between a committee or board and staff

If any of these sound familiar – or if you are not sure your association meets regulatory standards or your own needs – the team at Governance Alliance Scotland can help.

Our Health Check service will provide an expert, objective perspective on your governance arrangements.

The Health Check is available as a stand-alone service, enabling you to formulate and implement an action plan.

Or it can serve as a platform for a structured programme of advice and support from us, tailored to your particular needs.



			Governance Alliance Scotland Services At Governance Alliance Scotland, we provide a comprehensive range of services, delivered by people who understand housing associations. Here are some samples of the services that Governance Alliance Scotland team has provided to Scottish housing associations over the last year or so. Strategy and Planning • Facilitation of tailor-made strategy and planning events • Business planning and production of internal management plans • Strategic Option Appraisals and scenario planning, to help identify alternative futures for organisations • Interim management, to lead organisations through transition or difficulties Promoting Good Governance • Training/development for governing bodies on all aspects of good governance • Assessments of skills and effectiveness for governing bodies and/or individual members, leading to realistic development plans • Induction plans for new governing body members • Customised governing body member handbooks, providing concise “need to know” information in plain English • Governance “health checks” and risk assessments • Practical support – whether this is to improve governing body meetings, help chairs and office bearers in their roles, or provide coaching and mentoring for senior staff or senior governing body members • Independent investigations of governance or management problems • Facilitating improved relationships and mediation • Advice on recruitment and succession planning for governing bodies Governance Frameworks and Policies • Comprehensive governance reviews for a range of housing associations • Reviews of standing orders and delegated authorities • Policy reviews for the full range of governance areas – for example, membership, openness and accountability, payments and benefits etc. Managing Performance • Design of performance management, self-assessment and reporting systems • Advice on how to streamline performance reporting, and enhance governing bodies’ ability to exercise scrutiny and strategic control • External reviews of performance, to support the planning process Structures and Partnerships • Advice on options for collaborative working between housing associations (e.g. through partnerships, consortia and group structures) • Hands-on support with developing and implementing new structures and partnerships • Advice on Rule/constitutional changes • Reviews of committee structures , including follow-on work on committee and sub-committee remits to support new structures Guidance and Good Practice • Development of Communities Scotland’s Regulatory Code of Governance and guidance on group structures • The current model code of conduct for Scottish housing associations (including committee member role descriptions) • Production of EVH “Jargon Journal” and SFHA Business Continuity Guidance The Governance Alliance Health Check It’s not always easy for associations to assess their own performance and identify areas where they may be failing to meet required standards and their own business needs. One of the key services we offer to housing associations is a Governance Health Check that has been specifically devised to give you the answers. Symptoms may vary: • governance practice and structures that no longer match the organisation’s aims and strategy • a committee or board that has difficulty in attracting new blood • meetings that are unfocused and go on too long • standing orders that are difficult to understand and cumbersome to adhere to • a new Chair, still to build in confidence • strained relationships between a committee or board and staff If any of these sound familiar – or if you are not sure your association meets regulatory standards or your own needs – the team at Governance Alliance Scotland can help. Our Health Check service will provide an expert, objective perspective on your governance arrangements. The Health Check is available as a stand-alone service, enabling you to formulate and implement an action plan. Or it can serve as a platform for a structured programme of advice and support from us, tailored to your particular needs.