Trust Policies

Finance Policies

Travel and Expenses

The Board of Trustees of The Two Counties Trust, a Multi Academy Trust, takes its financial responsibilities seriously and has formulated this policy in order to develop and maintain the very highest standards of financial management and governance across the Trust..

Finance Policy

Charging and Remissions Policy

The Trust recognises the valuable contribution that a wide range of additional activities, including
clubs, trips and residential experiences can make towards pupils personal and social education.
The purpose of this policy to set out what charges will be levied for activities, the circumstances under which voluntary contributions will be requested from parents and what support is available to parents on low incomes and /or in receipt of benefits.

Procurement Policy

This policy sets out arrangements for the procurement of Goods, Services and Works to ensure that value for money is achieved.

Reserves Policy

The Two Counties Trust has established this Reserves Policy to protect its activities
by providing financial buffers against an unpredictable environment and to make
sufficient provision for future cash flow requirements. The policy also provides the
framework for future strategic planning and decision-making. An effectively
implemented Reserves Policy will mitigate the impact of any risk upon the continuing
operations of The Two Counties Trust caused by funding uncertainty.

School Fund Policy

Private School Funds have been left to the school to continue practice as was prior to
conversion and to date the Trust has avoided interference. Through this year’s audit, it has
come to light that there are some schools with significant balances in this Fund which and in
contravention to the purpose of running Schools Funds. We therefore seek a correction to
the management of ‘School Fund’.

Corporate Policies

Complaints Procedure

We believe that tackling concerns at the earliest possible stage allows us to improve relationships, enhance learning, prevent issues escalating and reduces the number of formal complaints.

Whistleblowing Policy

Whistleblowing is the reporting of suspected wrongdoing, malpractice or dangers in relation to the Trust’s activities concerning matters of public interest. This policy sets out the way in which workers may raise a concern under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 and how those concerns will be dealt with

Exclusions Policy

This policy reflects the guidance introduced and updated by the Department for Education in 2017 and outlines the practice for all schools and academies within The Two Counties Trust in respect of student exclusions

Freedom of Information Publication Scheme

This publication scheme has been prepared in accordance with the model publication scheme,
approved by the Information Commissioner. The purpose of the scheme Is that it requires The Two Counties Trust to make information available to the public as part of its normal business activities.

DCC LGPS Discretions Policy

The purpose of this document is to set out what discretions The Two Counties Trust (The Trust) will exercise in various situations regarding employee Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS benefits) in the Derbyshire Pension Fund.

Contractor Policy and Safeguarding Guidelines

This policy applies to all contractors working across The Two Counties Trust and sets out the minimum standards expected of contractors and sub-contractors.

Remote Virtual Meeting Procedure

The Board of Trustees of The Two Counties Trust, takes its responsibilities seriously and has formulated this procedure in order to develop and maintain the very highest standards of management and governance in regard to virtual meetings across the Trust.

Remote Learning Policy

While pupils experienced disruption to their education from 23 March 2020, several different approaches were used by schools to continue their education.

Employment Policies

Absence Management Procedure

From time to time employees may become ill and may be unable to attend work. This policy outlines how absence is managed

Adoption Policy

The Trust recognises the need of adoptive parents to have time off work when a child joins their family

Annual Leave Policy

Employees are entitled and encouraged to take their full holiday entitlement each annual leave year and will be given the opportunity to do so

Anti-Bullying and Harassment Policy

The Trust has a zero tolerance to bullying and harassment, enabling employees work without fear

Capability Procedure

Employees have a contractual responsibility to perform to a satisfactory level and will be given every help and encouragement to do so

Code of Conduct

Employees are expected to work in a spirit of collaboration and co-operation within an ethos of mutual respect, trust and confidence

DBS Guidance

This policy complies with the Trust’s responsibilities defined within the Department for Education’s publication: Keeping Children Safe in Education

Disciplinary Procedure

This procedure set out the approach to maintaining acceptable standards of conduct at work

Equality and Diversity Statement & Policy

The Trust is committed to equality, reflecting on and valuing diversity

Flexible Working Policy

The Trust values flexibility within the workforce and recognises the importance of helping employees to balance their work and personal life

Grievance Procedure

This procedure outlines the process which will be used to manage grievances raised by employees

Guidance on the Use of Fixed Term Contracts

This document provides guidance on the legalities which surround the use and termination of fixed term contracts

Job Share Policy

This policy sets out the arrangements which govern job share arrangements

Stress Management Policy Statement

This policy statement sets the overarching framework which guides our approach to the management of stress within the workforce across the Trust.

Health and Safety Policy

Health and Safety is the concern of everyone within The Two Counties Trust. The Health and Safety Policy is intended to provide a practical framework for the implementation of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and all relevant UK and EU health and safety legislation and codes of practice, which will be the minimum standard acceptable.

Cancer Support Policy

Each year, over 100,000 people of working age are diagnosed with cancer. Because it is so prevalent, The Two Counties Trust has considered the impact cancer may have on our employees, their colleagues and students and developed this policy, taking advice from Macmillan Cancer Support in doing so.

Work Experience Policy

The Two Counties Trust believes that work experience is very important as it provides our students with a real insight into the world of work, and presents them with an opportunity to develop the skills they will need to successfully make the next step in their career or education.

Policy for Managing Serial and Unreasonable Complaints

The Two Counties Trust is committed to dealing with all complaints fairly and impartially and to providing a high quality service to those who complain.

Menopause Support Policy

The Two Counties Trust has considered the impact which the menopause may have on the health and safety and wellbeing of our employees and has developed this policy to outline the support which is available.

Mental Health Charter

This charter sets out The Two Counties Trust approach and commitment to mental wellbeing

Employment Policies

Managing Allegations Against Staff Procedure

This policy is compliant with Keeping Children Safe in Education

Maternity Policy

This policy sets out the rights of employees who become pregnant

Ordinary Parental Leave

This policy sets out the rights, responsibilities and procedures whereby employees can apply to take Ordinary Parental Leave

Overtime & TOIL Policy

This policy sets out the eligibility for overtime and Time off in Lieu (TOIL)

Paternity Leave Policy

This document sets out the rights of employees to take Paternity Leave

Probationary Procedure

Probation is to ensure that a new member of support staff is able to gain a full understanding of the role

Recruitment & Selection

This policy sets out a clear and consistent framework within which recruitment and selection decisions will be made

Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy

This policy sets out the approach to the employment or placement of people with a criminal record

Reference Procedure

This procedure sets out the process for responding to requests for an employment reference

Redundancy and Restructuring Policy

This policy deals with changes to the workforce

Shared Parental Leave Policy

Shared Parental Leave enables eligible parents to choose how to share care of their child during the first year of birth/adoption

Social Media Guidelines

These guidelines outline the acceptable use of social media such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Pay Policy for Support Staff

This policy sets out the pay and pay progression arrangements for support staff employed by the Trust

Temporary Promotion Policy - Support Staff

This policy aims to ensure that support employees are treated fairly and consistently when they undertake responsibilities of a more senior role for a period of time

Appraisal Policy for Support Staff

This policy sets out the framework for appraisal for all support employees.

Appraisal Policy for Teachers

This policy sets out the appraisal arrangements for teachers.

Teachers’ Pay Policy

This policy sets out the Trust’s approach pay for all teachers.

Disability Leave

This policy sets out the arrangements for employees with a disability who wish to request Disability Leave.

Special Leave Policy

This policy sets out the arrangements whereby employees may request discretionary special leave.

Conflict of Interest Policy

The Board of Trustees of The Two Counties Trust, has formulated this policy in order to develop and maintain the very highest standards of financial management and governance in regard to conflicts of interest across the Trust.

Risk Management Policy

Risk management involves the identification, evaluation, management, monitoring and reporting of threats to achieving our objectives. This policy explains our approach to risk management. It sets out key aspects of risk management, responsibilities, reporting requirements and the process used to evaluate the effectiveness of our controls.