Who should develop the policies and procedures?

The management committee is responsible for developing policies and procedures within the organisation and making sure they are followed. However, they should first consult members, staff, volunteers and anyone else who may be affected by them. You can get help and advice from the organisations listed in the appendix or from your legal advisers. When developing policies and procedures, it is important to have a process in place for their development, approval, review and revision, and for education and training. We suggest the following guidelines for developing written policies and procedures (policy manuals).

What policies and procedures do we need?

The type of policies and procedures your organisation needs will depend on a number of things such as:

• the type of work you do
• the services you provide
• the size of your organisation
• how formally you operate.

Legal duties

When developing your policies you need to remember the laws that affect your organisation

Governing document

This is the formal written document describing the organisation’s structure, management, and its aims and objectives. Depending on your legal status it can be a:

• Constitution or set of rules (unincorporated organisation)
• A management guide for mosques and Islamic centres 19
• Memorandum and Articles of Association (incorporated – for example, a company limited by guarantee)
• Trust deed (incorporated – for example, a charity) You can get model forms from the Charity Commission http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/

Equal opportunities policy

Mosques are faith-based organisations, which run religious activities according to the Islamic faith. Therefore you have the right to appoint people with good Islamic faith to serve the mosque and Muslim community in a better way. Although the law doesn’t say you have to have an equal opportunities policy, a clear policy and set of procedures for implementing it is the best way of making sure that you keep to equal opportunities law.

Health and safety

The law says you have to have health and safety rules and follow the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the regulations that go with it. All organisations have a ‘duty of care’ to their volunteers, members (worshipers), employees and the general public.

Child protection

Children are an especially vulnerable group. The law says all organisations working with or providing a service to children, young people or vulnerable adults must have proper safeguards and measures to protect them. These safeguards should include a child protection policy, and procedures for dealing with issues of concern.

The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)

The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) is an executive agency of the Home Office. Its disclosure service gives wider access to criminal records information. This allows organisations in the public, private and voluntary and faith sectors to make safer recruitment decisions by identifying candidates who may be unsuitable for certain work, especially work that involves children or vulnerable adults.

Insurance

The management committee have the responsibility to look after and safeguard the property and assets of the organisation from direct loss or damage. If they fail then they can be held personally liable to make good the losses. One way to discharge yourselves of this duty is to take out insurance.

Complaints and grievance procedures

Feedback from mosque users will help to pinpoint issues to deal with, and help management make continuous improvements. Working effectively on complaints and grievances will help to boost the confide