About Derbyshire Mind

COMMITMENT TO QUALITY MEASURING PERFORMANCE GOVERNANCE PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT & SYSTEMS PEOPLE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Derbyshire Mind is a local mental health association, affiliated to National Mind. We are committed to:

working for improvements in local mental health services making it possible for people with mental health problems to voice their opinions offering quality local services challenging the stigma attached to people labelled “mentally ill” and increasing public understanding of mental health issues

How does Derbyshire Mind do it? Through our experience of over 40 years of local work supporting people experiencing mental health problems we have developed a range of services including specialist Advocacy services and the Enjoying Derby Project. Derbyshire Mind also supports the work of the Mental Health Action Group (MHAG). Derbyshire Mind works in partnership at a local level with statutory and voluntary sector agencies.

How is Derbyshire Mind managed? Derbyshire Mind’s work is overseen by the Board of Trustees, made up of people who use our services and local professionals.

Equal opportunities Derbyshire Mind recognises that many people in our society experience discrimination or lack of opportunity for many different reasons, sometimes based on their race, religion, creed, colour, national and ethnic origin, political beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, HIV status, age, disability, marital status, family circumstances, responsibility for dependants, geographical area, social class, income level, criminal record and trade union activity. Derbyshire Mind strives to create an environment, within the limitations of the buildings/accommodations we operate from, in which all individuals can feel welcome as a whole person in their own right and in which they are treated with respect and fairness. All volunteers, employees and Trustees must support the objectives of this Equal Opportunities Policy. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action and/or ineligibility for membership. Derbyshire Mind believes that promoting equal opportunities in relation to our services and our future planning is just as important as promoting equal opportunities in relation to our paid jobs and volunteering opportunities.

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About Derbyshire Mind

COMMITMENT TO QUALITY

Commitment to Quality Derbyshire Mind is committed to quality, both in terms of the services we offer and as an employer. We regularly review our work through Board of Trustee meetings, committee sub-groups, staff groups and user consultation exercises. We have achieved the Community Legal Services Partnership Quality Mark, in recognition of our high standards in the provision of legal information to the public. We are recognised as an Investor in People, an award that acknowledges our commitment to staff training and development. Derbyshire Mind was instrumental in the development of national Quality Standards for Mind and is committed to the implementation of these standards at a local level. Each service has a set of operational standards and a dedicated person to oversee each team’s performance against these standards.

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About Derbyshire Mind

MEASURING PERFORMANCE

Measuring Performance Derbyshire Mind aims to collect and analyse performance information on everything it does and achieves. The aim is to use this information to identify strengths, make improvements and plan changes. In some areas of our work this is more difficult to achieve, we acknowledge this fact and continue to look for ways to improve our processes. Regular briefing reports are made available to the Board of Trustees to demonstrate the volume of work achieved each quarter. These reports also outline issues effecting quality, which need their attention. Derbyshire Mind has a clear complaints policy and actively encourages informal comments on our work. Derbyshire Mind publishes “action areas” annually which detail improvement targets for the period. Progress against these criteria is reviewed annually.

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About Derbyshire Mind

GOVERNANCE

Governance Derbyshire Mind has a written constitution and clear roles and responsibilities for its Trustees. Derbyshire Mind meets its legal, financial and charitable responsibilities. The Chair, Vice-Chair and Treasurer meet regularly within the officer’s group to oversee these areas and to make any specific recommendations to Executive Committee. The officers group expect to be provided with accurate and up to date information on all aspects of our organisation. This group consider a wide range of issues, some quite complex, some mundane. The way in which information is presented to this group varies. It may be by report, inviting an expert to discuss issues, or by a briefing from the Chief Executive. Briefing notes are always circulated in advance and the group are also kept informed between meetings by mail and telephone calls. An officer’s meeting will generally result in information being circulated throughout the organisation, seeking out additional data or clarifying information we already have. The Chief Executive of Derbyshire Mind (the senior paid worker) keeps the trustees fully briefed on a regular basis. The Chief Executive offers administrative support and advice to ensure trustees are well informed about all aspects of the organisation’s work. The Chief Executive has responsibility for managing the flow of information around the organisation. Information that is generated both internally and externally, ensuring that the appropriate people have access to information that is relevant to their role and function. Trustees are offered training and development opportunities via specific training events or conferences to enhance their understanding of their role and responsibilities.

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About Derbyshire Mind

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT

Planning and Policy Development Derbyshire Mind has a Mission Statement, which is consistent with the work we are engaged in. Each service has clear aims and objectives, which are regularly reviewed. Each service has operational polices and guidelines for their implementation. These polices are reviewed regularly. Discussions about changes in objectives or operational policies take place across the organisation to ensure trustees have a wide body of opinion to aid their decision making. It is especially important that the views and needs of service users are part of this process. Derbyshire Mind publishes “action areas” annually which detail improvement targets for the period. Progress against these criteria is reviewed annually Derbyshire Mind networks with all local providers to ensure planned developments are relevant to local strategic developments. Derbyshire Mind also plays an active role in shaping the local strategy for mental health services via the Derbyshire Voluntary Sector Mental Health Forum.

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About Derbyshire Mind

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT & SYSTEMS

Financial Management and Systems Derbyshire Mind prepares accounts according to the methods and principles contained in the Accounting and Reporting by Charities, Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) (revised 2000). Annual Reports are prepared annually and are audited annually as required by the Companies Act and Charities Act. Derbyshire Mind meets Inland Revenue, Customs and Excise and Department of Social Security requirements. Nominated persons regularly monitor income and expenditure, petty cash, salaries, pension contributions and cash flow. Financial transactions are conducted and recorded to ensure one person’s work can always be checked by another. Derbyshire Mind has appropriate insurance cover, which is regularly reviewed and updated. Separate accounts and budgets are maintained for separate services. Who provides Derbyshire Mind with its funding? Derbyshire Mind is funded by Derbyshire County Council and Derby City Council, NHS Derby City and Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust. In addition many local organisations and businesses make donations in support of our work.

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About Derbyshire Mind

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

People Management Derbyshire Mind has a clear management structure for all workers. It is communicated to everyone and can be understood at all levels of the organisation. Derbyshire Mind regularly reviews and updates its policies and procedures on people management to take account of legal and other changes. Derbyshire Mind operates a staff supervision system. All permanent staff and volunteers take part in regular supervision with their line manager, or nominated worker in the case of volunteers. Each service has regular team meetings. Derbyshire Mind is committed to the development of its employees. The organisation believes its success depends largely upon this commitment. This is especially relevant to a voluntary organisation where the people who hold responsibility are often not around on a day to day basis and they need to have confidence in a well trained and well supported staff group.

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About Derbyshire Mind

INFORMATION

Information Derbyshire Mind maintains up to date and complete copies of its constitution and relevant policies, these are available to anyone who wants or needs them. Derbyshire Mind is registered under the Data Protection Act. Such records maintained on employees or service users are relevant, accurate, up to date and secure. Policies are in place to manage the recording, storage and access to records and files. All management meetings are minuted, appropriately circulated and filed.

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