Board Secretary support
The Board Development Team is dedicated to supporting NHS Board Secretaries across a range of key areas. In this section, you’ll find a collection of videos, links, and documents designed to assist and enhance your work in this vital role.
The role of the Board Secretary
The Chair of the Board Secretary group, Kyle Clark-Hay, Associate Director of Corporate Governance, National Services Scotland explains the Board Secretary role in the video below.
The relationship between the Board Secretary and Chair
Della Thomas, previous Board Secretary, NHS Education for Scotland, explores the important relationship between the Board Secretary and their Chair.
Board Secretary Induction
We have collaborated with Board Secretaries to develop this induction slide set, designed to support you in your role. It also offers practical examples of how you can contribute to the implementation of the Blueprint for Good Governance within your Board.
The induction covers
- An overview of the role
- What is good governance
- Support and key groups for Board Secretaries
- Support available for Board Members
For new Board Secretaries, you will be buddied with an experienced colleague to support you during your first year by helping understand policies and procedures, share knowledge and experience as well as act as a sounding board for ideas or problems.
The Competency Framework
The competency framework is a UK tool designed to support the professional development of Company Secretaries and governance professionals, outlining the key behaviours required to excel in these roles. It has some synergy with the competencies required for the Board Secretary role and the website also includes articles and blogs which may be of interest to Board Secretaries.
Mentoring and Action Learning Sets
Mentoring and action learning sets provide valuable opportunities for professional growth, skill-sharing, and problem-solving.
Mentoring offers personalised guidance and support from experienced colleagues, helping Board Secretaries to navigate complex responsibilities and develop confidence in their roles.
Action learning sets bring Board Secretaries together in small groups to address real challenges, reflect on experiences, and collectively find solutions.
Together, these approaches foster continuous improvement and support the delivery of effective governance within NHS Scotland.
To learn more, read the guides linked below.
Minute Taking
This document, created by Della Thomas, previous Board Secretary, NHS Education for Scotland, provides valuable insights into the art of minute taking. It offers practical guidance on how to accurately and effectively capture key discussions and decisions in meetings.
Accurate minutes serve as an official record of Board meetings, ensuring transparency and accountability. They provide a clear reference for future decision-making and track the progress of actions. Well-crafted minutes help maintain clarity on discussions and decisions, reduce the risk of misunderstandings, and support informed governance.
