⚓ Module One
Board Governance & Assurance Toolkit
The governance infrastructure your board needs to lead with confidence
£699 + VAT
CQC's Well-led key question is the most underestimated in the independent sector. It is also the one that, if answered poorly, pulls down every other rating — because a board that cannot demonstrate effective governance oversight puts the credibility of its Safe, Effective, Caring, and Responsive ratings in doubt. The Board Governance & Assurance Toolkit gives independent providers the complete governance infrastructure that clinical boards and non-executive directors need: a framework that defines how decisions are made, a scheme that sets out who is accountable for what, a risk register that the board actually uses, and the information governance and equality compliance frameworks that underpin every other governance function.
Board Governance & Assurance Toolkit — £699
This toolkit gives your board the complete governance infrastructure it needs.
Who it's for: Independent and private providers preparing for CQC inspection · Providers with new board members or governance leads · Any provider whose board oversight needs strengthening
What's included - 11 Documents
📄 Detailed Guide (Word) - How to use the package, including the seniority level on agreement and a guide to the tools.
📊 Board Assurance Framework (Excel) - The overarching governance structure for the organisation — committee architecture, board accountability, governance cycle, and quality assurance mechanisms.
📄 Risk Appetite Workshop (Word) - Understand precisely what risk means for your organisation, how to differentiate and then articulate your risks and their mitigations.
📊 Control Effectiveness Matrix (Excel) - The document you need between the risk register and the Board report - the who and how of risk.
📊 Board Report Template (Excel) - monthly board dashboard report template with RAG dashboard, incident summary, training compliance, and risk summary.
📊 Governance Calendar (Excel) - all the important deadlines in one comprehensive document.
📄 Scheme of Delegation (Word) — Board-approved delegation of clinical and governance decisions — RACI matrix, 7 named roles, 70+ delegation items, reserved matters, and out-of-hours authority. Cearly define line of authority.
📊 Risk Register (Excel) — 5-sheet automated risk register — 5×5 scoring matrix, 50 risk rows, auto RAG ratings, category dashboard, and escalation log. 281 formulas.
📄 Risk Assessment Template (Word) — Define and articulate each risk, using data from both inherent risks and feedback.
📄 Equality Act 2010 & PSED Compliance Guide (Word) — All 9 protected characteristics, PSED obligations for NHS-funded providers, EqIA guidance, AIS, and three compliance checklists. Updated June 2026.
📄 Terms of Reference (Word) — Standard ToR for the Quality & Safety Committee, the People Committee, Finance & Performance; and the Audit Committee; including quorum, frequency, membership, and reporting line.
This toolkit is for you if…
✓ Your board has asked for a governance review or restructure
✓ You are preparing for CQC inspection and the Well-led key question is a concern
✓ You have recently appointed new non-executive directors or board members
✓ Your risk register exists on paper but is not actively used by the board
✓ You need to demonstrate clear accountability and decision-making structures to CQC
CQC link
Directly and comprehensively addresses the CQC Well-led key question — specifically the requirements for a clear governance framework, effective board oversight, systematic risk management, and a culture of accountability. The Scheme of Delegation and Risk Register are two of the documents most commonly absent in CQC inspections of independent providers.
All Five Toolkits — 60 Documents — Complete Governance Suite
Board Architecture · PSIRF Implementation · CQC Readiness · Clinical & Digital Compliance
£2,885 + VAT
· Save 15% versus purchasing individually ·
The complete governance infrastructure for an independent or private healthcare provider — everything you need to meet CQC Fundamental Standards, implement PSIRF, demonstrate Well-led governance, and manage information and equality obligations.
Harbour Governance toolkits go beyond individual policies.
Each one is a complete, ready-to-deploy framework — the documents, tools, and templates your organisation needs to build robust governance in a specific area, all in one place. Designed by a team of experienced clinical governance professionals.
Built for independent and private healthcare providers.
Immediately usable.
This pack remains downloadable for 24-hours.