Board Code of Conduct

1. Selflessness

Directors on Barnardos board should take decisions solely in terms of the Charity’s objects and in the Charity’s interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends.

The objectives are:

1. Providing support for children, young people and families in need;
2. Promoting and providing assistance towards the education of children and young people in social or economic disadvantage;
3. To provide services for and promote and advance the welfare of children, young people and their families whose lives have been affected by economic, social or other disadvantage or loss.

2. Integrity

Directors of Barnardos should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their duties in relation to Barnardos. Directors should not accept gifts or hospitality in relation to their work with Barnardos unless they are of trifling value. Directors should not to do anything that may damage the reputation of the organisation.

3. Objectivity

In carrying out any activities in relation to Barnardos, including making appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for reward or benefit, Directors of Barnardos should make choices on merit.

4. Accountability

Directors of Barnardos are accountable for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate. Directors must ensure that the organisation complies with its own governing document, relevant laws, and the requirements of any regulatory bodies.

5. Openness

Directors of Barnardos should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider interest of Barnardos clearly demands.

6. Honesty & Loyalty

Directors of Barnardos have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their Barnardos duties and to and ensure that conflicts of interest are properly dealt with.  A Director must declare any conflict of interest or any circumstance that might be viewed by others as a conflict of interest, as soon as it arises and submit to the judgment of the Board to do as it requires regarding potential conflicts of interest. Where a conflict of interest arises, a Director must absent from any discussion or vote taken on the matter by the other Directors.

A corollary to this duty is that directors must not disclose confidential information which they obtain in their capacity as directors of a company, since this will generally not be in the best interests of the company.

7. Leadership

Directors of Barnardos should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

Should any behaviour be judged inappropriate under these Principles, it shall be raised at a meeting of the Directors and if appropriate, the company may by ordinary resolution remove any Director before the expiration of his period of office and may appoint another person in his stead.

Detailed Terms of Reference for all Barnardos Board Sub Committees are also available.