The Governance Handbook sets out the governance structure of the GOsC, the way it operates and the procedures that must be followed.
It is designed to be a useful tool for members, bringing together these fundamental aspects of the organisation into a single document. To maintain its relevance and effectiveness, it is constantly reviewed and amended as necessary.
It was last reviewed in December 2010.
There are a number of annexes to the handbook.
Annex 1, the Code of Conduct, applies to Council members and anyone else acting on behalf of the GOsC who is not a member of staff, for instance external committee members, fitness to practise panelists and members of ad hoc working groups. Its purpose is to provide them with guidance on carrying out the GOsC’s statutory functions in line with currently accepted standards of public service. For more information about the Code of Conduct, see the Code of Conduct page.
Annex 2 contains the GOsC Standing Orders, which are designed to ensure that the business of the Council and committees is conducted as effectively as possible. The Standing Orders ensure that there are consistent governance processes in place and they play an essential role in defining the remit and membership of a committee.
Annex 3 contains supporting documents to the governance handbook, for example, the role of the Council, principles to underpin the work of the Council, terms of reference for committees and the Register of Interests.
We aim to ensure transparency and probity in the fulfillment of our statutory functions. As part of this, we try to avoid any appearance of impropriety or conflict of interest that would undermine confidence in the regulatory process. Therefore, Council members and all those who act on behalf of the GOsC, are expected to act impartially and objectively in carrying out the GOsC’s business.
This includes a requirement to avoid situations of conflict of interest including those where there might be seen to be a conflict between the individual’s personal interests or other posts held and his/her GOsC duties.
Each member of Council is required to declare other interests in the Register of Interests. The range of interests that must be declared is set out in Section 10 of the supporting documents to the governance handbook, on pages 47-49. The Register of Interests is updated regularly as necessary, and was last updated in January 2012.
Our remuneration policies set out what Council Members, Committee Members who are not Members of Council and Fitness to Practise panellists are paid for their work for the General Osteopathic Council, including what they may claim as expenses.