Nationwide Association of Fostering Providers Constitution
Introduction
1. The name of the Association shall be the "Nationwide Association of Fostering Providers" (referred to in this constitution as "NAFP"). NAFP is a not-for-profit organisation, and a company limited by guarantee.
2. NAFP was established in 2008 and is the only UK-wide Trade Association for independent and voluntary fostering services providers (IFP’s)
Mission Statement
3. "The Nationwide Association of Fostering Providers seeks to be the voice of the independent and voluntary fostering sector for children and young people, and to promote high standards of professional and business practice within the membership”
Aims and Objectives
4. NAFP aims to:
Achieve and maintain a membership that represents at least 75% of placements made with independent and voluntary fostering providers.
NAFP Core Objectives:
Collective Representation:
Purpose: marketing the independent and voluntary fostering sector and NAFP
Initial Time Frame: Short Term: 0-6 months plan, then ongoing
Primary Activity
To engage in actions that will portray the collective voice of the independent and voluntary sector for children and young people.
Actions will include:
• Promoting awareness of using the independent and voluntary sector, including the demonstration of improved outcomes for children and young people.
• Presenting the benefits of using the independent and voluntary sector to local authorities through dialogue, publications and presentations.
• Increasing the membership of NAFP
• Ensuring correct positioning of the sector in each situation that presents itself
Central Representation:
Purpose: Influencing and informing professional practice and policy
Initial Time Frame: Short Term: 0-6 months plan, then ongoing
Primary Activities:
To be a central representative body that will prepare a collective response to consultations and put the views of members to DCSF, Ofsted and other relevant government departments, agencies, and organisations.
To be a technical centre providing commentary, guidance and direction on all potential legislative, regulatory and professional practice developments of relevance to fostering services.
Current representation will include focus on:
• National Framework Contract for Fostering (Medium Term)
• Minimum Standards (Short Term – September)
• Vetting and Barring (Short Term – October)
Constructive Dialogue:
Purpose: Representing and championing commercial and business issues
Initial Time Frame: ongoing
Primary Activities:
• To develop formal and sustainable relationships and constructive dialogue with key government bodies, working parties and commissioners with the aim of helping them to avoid decisions that may have an unintended negative consequence for the sector.
• To provide a forum for the exchange of non-competitively sensitive information between members and provide a platform where concerns or issues can be expressed and practical support, advice and information can be effectively shared without compromise.
• Provide sector representatives on national and regional commissioning groups, working groups and consortia.
This dialogue will concentrate on:
• Fee Pressures/Efficiency Agenda/Gershon
• Fee Uplifts
Future Influence:
Purpose: Leading on lobbying and research
Initial Time Frame: Medium and Long Term Objective (6-24 months and then ongoing)
Primary Activities:
• To collate and analyse relevant research and statistics to identify trends and concerns in the market place and use that information for the benefit of policy makers, regulators and members.
• To develop relationships and dialogue with Government bodies, political parties and individual politicians, with the aim of influencing policy makers and supporting them in avoiding any unintended or negative consequences of policies on services for looked after children provided by the independent and voluntary sectors.
The activities will include:
• Influencing policy and emerging issues
• Trend analysis
• Political structure /dialogue
• Government relationships
• Identifying a lobbying capability
Membership
5. Membership of NAFP is available to all independent and voluntary registered fostering services providers. (Care Standards Act, 2000, Fostering Services Regulations, 2002)
6. Admission to membership is at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
7. A member shall be defined as a firm, company, partnership, or other legal entity, but multiple memberships for related group entities will not be accepted.
8. The Executive Committee reserves the right to hold a disciplinary hearing and to revoke membership in the case of serious malpractice or criminal conviction prejudicial to the welfare of children and young people, or bringing NAFP into disrepute.
Finances of NAFP
9. The financial year of NAFP shall be the calendar year but this may be changed by resolution of the Executive Committee.
10. The subscription scale shall be set by the Executive Committee. A bank account shall be operated in the name of NAFP and withdrawals shall be made on the signature of any two of the appointed officers of NAFP.
11. The proposed initial subscription scale is as follows:
| Tiers | Placement Number | Annual Fee |
| 1 | 1000+ | £15k |
| 2 | 800-999 | £13k |
| 3a | 600-799 | £11k |
| 3b | 400-599 | £9k |
| 4a | 300-399 | £7k |
| 4b | 200-299 | £5k |
| 4c | 100-199 | £4k |
| 5a | 75-99 | £3k |
| 5b | 50-74 | £2k |
| 5c | 25-49 | £1k |
| 5d | 0-24 | £500 |
12. An auditor, who is not a member of the Committee, shall be elected annually at the AGM to audit the accounts of NAFP.
Meetings of NAFP
13. The NAFP shall hold an annual general meeting not later than four months after the end of each financial year. At least 10 members of NAFP, or the Executive Committee, may at any time require the Secretary to convene a general meeting of NAFP. In convening such a meeting the Secretary shall give not less than 21 days notice to members.
14. Committee meetings shall be held at least four times per year.
15. Committee meetings shall be announced to all members, and may be attended by all members, however, only committee members shall vote at such meetings.
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17. Each member of the Executive Committee shall have one vote. The Chair shall have a second, or casting, vote in the event of equality.
18. No organisation shall have more than one representative on the Committee.
19. Eight members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum.
20. NAFP will publish an annual report on its activities and a list of subscribing members. Both these documents will be published on NAFP’s website with an up to date membership list.
Chair and Deputy Chair
21. The Executive Committee shall be chaired by a board member (Executive Chair). The Executive Committee shall also elect a Deputy Chair. In the event of the Chair or the Deputy Chair resigning or ceasing to be a member of the Board or Executive Committee, the Committee shall have power to elect a replacement to serve for the remainder of the term.
Committees and Panels
22. The Executive Committee may establish and maintain sub-committees and project groups, and may delegate matters to them.
23. The Executive Committee may appoint technical panels to advise and assist it.
Chief Executive Officer
24. The Board shall appoint a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who shall be responsible to it for the management of NAFP and who shall also be the principal representative of NAFP.
Delegation
25. The Board may delegate any of their powers to members of the Executive Committee.
Revision of the Constitution
26. This constitution shall be amended by NAFP provided that at least 75% of the members of NAFP present at the meeting vote in favour of amendments of which prior notice has been given.