Do you struggle to recruit a parent committee?
Are you tired of the constant turnover and finding it hard to get anything done?
If you do manage to recruit a committee do you then struggle to keep them?
Three questions which I'm sure will resonate with any charity managed pre-school with a parent committee. Whatever the reasons, the truth is that it has become harder and harder to recruit trustees, particularly parents, to be responsible for unincorporated charities. And if you’re lucky enough to get a full committee, holding on to them can be even harder. On at least a weekly basis I see posts in Facebook groups and receive phone calls from desperate providers who risk closure because they just can’t get parents to be involved.​
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The bottom line is that for registered charity settings to survive in the long term they are going to have to look at moving to being an incorporated organisation in one form or another. For the vast majority keeping charitable status is a must and so many are exploring route of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).
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CIO’s as they are commonly referred to were introduced by the Charity Commission in 2013. They were designed specifically for charities, allowing them to register just once as an incorporated charity, to reduce administrative burden, limit the liability of trustees and to provide the incorporated charity with its own legal entity.​
After listening to you and the problems you face (and seeing it for myself) I can provide you with a solution that removes the issue of recruiting a parent committee, provides greater protection for trustees in terms of liability and at the same times gives managers some control over what happens in the pre-school.
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Now in it's 7th year The Incorporation Package has helped over 80 settings to convert to CIO.
The Incorporation Package
The Incorporation Package provides a full conversion service taking you from unincorporated pre-school to Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
I manage the entire process for you, from setting up your new CIO with the Charity Commission through to support with re-registration with Ofsted, transferring staff and the old charity's assets and everything in between finally dissolving the old charity once you have transferred over.
Having worked with many pre-school committees before I know that trying to do this yourselves can be both a costly and time consuming process and is why The Incorporation Package aims to provide a complete service from start to finish.
What you get
Support
From day one, I'll be there to support you through the process of your conversion, doing what I can for you, supporting where I can't and directing you to the next steps as we go.
The Constitution
You'll be using my Foundation CIO constitution, written with you in mind, which removes the requirement for a parent committee which is an issue for so many.
Guidance
In addition to my support you'll also receive a file which contains all of the documentation and guidance we'll need through the process and a handy space to retain copies of everything.
The Constitution
The most attractive benefit for many is the constitution I provide that removes the requirement to have parents as trustees.
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Based on The Charity Commission Foundation model but specifically written for pre-schools our constitution:
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allows for your trustee board to be a mix of staff and/or anyone who has a vested interest in your setting;​
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requires only 5 trustees who can serve for a term of six years to give greater continuity;​​
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covers those pre-schools who also provide wrap around care such as breakfast and after school clubs
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Whilst the board will maintain responsibility for the management of the setting it is hoped that by removing the parental element it will be easier to recruit members and provide much needed continuity and financial security for your pre-school.
The Process
The first step is to book in a Discovery Call with me where we can talk through the process, discuss the constitution, see if the package is right for you and for me to answer any questions you may have.
Once you're signed up the package starts with an initial meeting where we'll complete the paper work required to begin the process of setting up your new CIO.
When we have the necessary paperwork and the dissolution clause of your current constitution has been initialized I will begin the process of registering the new CIO with The Charity Commission
I'll be here throughout the process to support you with the re-registering of Ofsted, the TUPE of staff from one organisation to another and pretty much anything else you need help with.
When the new CIO is set up, re-registration with Ofsted is complete and everything including the assets is officially transferred over I will then close the unincorporated charity for you.
I advise that from start to finish the process should take around twelve to eighteen months, but could take longer subject to any delays in processing applications or changes required by the Charity Commission and/or delays with re-registration with Ofsted.
Your Investment
£1,625
Inclusive of everything listed above. Additional external costs may apply.
Payment Plan Options
Option A
3 MONTHS
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3 payments of £552
TOTAL AMOUNT PAYABLE £1,656
TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY
Option B
6 MONTHS
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6 payments of £282
TOTAL AMOUNT PAYABLE £1,692
TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY
Just a few of the settings who have used The Incorporation Package to become a CIO
Frequently asked questions
How many staff can be trustees?
The constitution is a minimum of five and allows for a maximum of 2 of these to be staff members. This is to ensure that the majority of trustees are volunteers.​​​​​​​​​​​
Will I lose my Ofsted grading?
Yes. Part of the process of re-registering means that you will be treated as a new setting and therefore any existing grading you have will be lost until your first full inspection as a CIO.
What happens to the money in our bank accounts?
This is part of your assets and will be transferred in full (including anything in reserves) to the new CIO.
Will I have to close at any point while going through this process?
No. The transfer to CIO is always arranged so that it happens overnight so there is no break in service.
Are there any other costs to consider?
Yes. When you re-register with Ofsted you will have to pay your annual fee. Additionally, if you own your own premises and/or lease land there may be additional costs for transferring leases into the name of the CIO.
If you have other questions regarding The Incorporation Package please book a discovery call and I'll do my very best to answer them.