This document provides an overview of serious incident reporting for charities. It begins by explaining why serious incident reporting is important, as charities are required to report serious incidents to the Charity Commission and declare them annually. It defines what constitutes a serious incident, such as fraud, safeguarding issues, or complaints that could damage a charity's reputation, beneficiaries or assets. It provides examples of serious incidents and advises when charities should report them, such as when reported to the police or if they present a significant risk. The document outlines the process for reporting a serious incident and common pitfalls to avoid, such as freedom of information requests, inadequate policies and procedures, and managing public relations.

1. Issues and Recent Developments
25th March 2015
1

2. Overview
• Welsh Context
• Budget
• Issues and recent developments
• Horizon Scanning
2

3. Welsh Context
• Welsh economy
• Reforming Local Government – White Paper
• Well-being of Future Generations (Wales Bill)
• Future Spending Cuts
3

4. The Budget
• VAT Refunds
• Regulation of CAIFs
• Gift Aid
• Libor fines
4

5. Issues and recent developments
• Data Protection (again!)
• Funding of Non Charitable Organisations
• State Aid
• Disqualifications of Trustees
5

6. Horizon Scanning
• Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) bill
• Protection of Charities bill
• Law Commission Consultation
6

7. Questions
• Fire away!
7

8. 8
Chris Williams – Partner
Blake Morgan LLP

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11. How Tenovus grew into
Tenovus Cancer Care in 7
years

13. Population time bomb
Source: Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations
Secretariat, World Population Prospects: The 2006 Revision and World Urbanization Prospects

14. Population time bomb
"Life expectancy in most European countries is increasing now by
five hours a day”
"Population ageing will fundamentally change the lives of
Europeans”
"The scale of change will be comparable to or greater than the
effects of climate change or global terrorism"

15. Cancer and Wales 2015
Now 4 in 10 people, 20% more cancer in Wales than England
Ageing population
120,000 people living with cancer today in Wales, doubled by 2030
Up to 40% of all cancers could be prevented through vaccines,
healthier lifestyles, better diet, more exercise
Earlier diagnosis has led to an increase in the numbers of survivors,
can mean long term health problems
Need for more services to help people stay well at home

17. Tenovus2008
Income falling
£2million deficit
Expenditure going up
Disillusioned staff
No USP
No strategy

18. New Horizons
Interviewed key stakeholders in the UK
Ran patient focus groups – identified needs
Talked to the competition
Put together a plan that still holds today
Identified who was with me, who was against me, took action

19. So what were the results?
Unprompted awareness at 4%. How can people come to us if they
don’t know who we are?
Confusion – crowded market
Cost of living goes up at the point of diagnosis
Travel an issue
Waiting times
Inequity of access
Feeling of isolation and fear
Research not translational
Who was listening to patients and their families?

21. Decided to reposition ourselves
We believe in the value of communities
We believe that everyone with cancer should have access to first
class treatment
We believe in supporting and highlighting the needs of cancer
patients and the people that love them
We believe in the power of singing to bring people together and to lift
spirits
We believe that we need to be innovative, using our resources
wisely, band creatively
Changed our name!

22. History of innovation

23. Innovate or die

25. Innovate or die

27. Innovate or die

28. Programme grants
PhD Studentships
MRes Studentships
Sing With Us
Innovation Grants
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
2008 2013

29. Southampton
PhD (Psychosocial
/ Economic)
PhD (Allied Health)
Innovation Grants
(“non-lab”)
Programme Grant • 2008

30. PhD (Psychosocial
/ Economic)
PhD (Allied Health)
Innovation Grants
(“non-lab”)
PhD (Laboratory) • 2015

31. Tenovus Board of
Trustees
Innovation Grants
Expert Review
Research Advisory Group
Research Advisory Group
Innovation Grants

32. Conclusions
Tenovus Cancer Care is flourishing, expanding and delivering the
goods
By listening to our customers
Consulting all parties
Deciding strategy
Picking your team
Delivering the deal

34. Serious Incident Reporting
25 March 2015

35. Welcome
35
Alison Talbot
Partner
alison.talbot@blakemorgan.co.uk

36. Programme
 The importance of Serious Incident reporting
 What is a Serious Incident?
 When and how should a report be made
 Common Pitfalls.
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37. Why are Serious Incidents Important?
• Requirement to report serious incidents to the
Charity Commission
• Requirement to make annual declaration in
Annual Return
• Charity Commission publication of new guidance
on serious incident reporting
• Likely to be an area of focus for the Charity
Commission.
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38. What is a Serious Incident?
• Loss of your charity's money or assets
• Damage to your charity's property
• Harm to your charity's work, beneficiaries, or
reputation
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39. Examples
• The discovery of a major fraud by an employee
on the charity
• An allegation of historical sexual abuse by
charity personnel on a beneficiary
• An unfair dismissal claim against the charity by a
former employee
• A complaint by a member of the public that the
charity trustees have mismanaged the charity
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40. When should you report?
Trustees are expected to report Serious Incidents if:
• The incident is reported to the police or other
statutory agencies
• The charity or individuals associated with it are
subject to police investigation
• The incident presents a serious or significant risk to
the charity, its beneficiaries, reputation, services or
assets
• The internal risk process identifies the need to act to
avoid a Serious Incident
• Professional advisers have advised you that you
need to report a Serious Incident
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41. What to do when a Serious Incident occurs
• Inform the governing body (this is really important)
• Seek advice
• Investigate the matter
– Independent or internal
• Consider the advice received and the outcome of the
investigation
• Actions to be taken
– Who to report to
– Keeping control
• Keep a record
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42. How to report a Serious Incident
• Timing is important
• Present your case
• Set out how you are remedying the situation and
what you will do the future
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43. Pitfalls to be aware of
• Freedom of information act
• Insurance
• Police and other regulators' investigations
• Confidentiality
• Legal advice
• Lack of adequate policies and procedures
• Managing PR
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44. Any questions?

45. Contact us
Alison Talbot
Partner, Charities Team
01865 254241
alison.talbot@blakemorgan.co.uk
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