Board Secretary support

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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, Head of Governance & Resources at Public Health Scotland, explains the Board Secretary role in the video below.

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

  1. An overview of the role
  2. What is good governance
  3. Support and key groups for Board Secretaries
  4. 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 designed to support the professional development of company secretaries and governance professionals, outlining the key behaviours required to excel in these roles. These can therefore be implemented within the NHS Board Secretary role.

This tool allows Board Secretaries to review and plan their professional development by detailing how each competency can be demonstrated in practice, across all career stages. Additionally, the framework can be used to assess and strengthen governance capability within your NHS Board.

 

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, NES Board Secretary and Principal Corporate Governance Lead, 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.