Advisory and Support

We run successful Governance and Board assurance events for Audit Committee Members and Senior Management which not only act as a briefing and update tool for delegates but also a valuable networking opportunity. These may be delivered internally by Audit Yorkshire or on a wider footprint involving key speakers and generating networking opportunities. 

Our Counter Fraud team also deliver bespoke training to our clients and developed a series of masterclasses focussing on key areas of risk within the NHS.

Audit Yorkshire has developed a comprehensive approach to supporting client learning and horizon scanning through benchmarking and sharing best practice. This helps us to proactively support clients by advising on developments that may have an impact.

Benchmarking - We use benchmarking and sharing of best practice as a tool to help our clients improve their control environment.  Recent examples of benchmarking activity include Board Assurance Frameworks, Follow up of Internal Audit Recommendations, and the Preparation for Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS). We often undertake this work in collaboration with other NHS internal audit providers from across the country via The Internal Audit Network (TIAN). 

Briefings - We issue free briefings to our clients.  Topics covered have included Board Assurance Framework, Data Security and Protection Toolkit and lessons from Financial Management failures. 

During the pandemic we issued briefings on maintaining effective governance, fraud risks, cyber security risks and information governance to help support our clients. 

Newsletters - We also issue free monthly newsletters summarising developments that may impact on our clients.  One focuses on audit issues whilst the other focuses on counter fraud issues.

These can be found on our Publications page.

We provide support and advice as part of the services we deliver to clients. Our partnership agreements facilitate access to a wealth of information on best practice in healthcare, charitable and third sectors and new models of working. 

We employ the knowledge and skills of subject matter experts where appropriate to support our audit approach as this improves the efficiency of our work and the level of assurance provided.

We also offer bespoke advisory, support and assurance improvement services to our clients.

Reviews have been tailored to provide reviews on the financial viability and future sustainability of partner commissioned organisations to support Commissioner additional funding decisions.

Risk management is an essential component of governance and leadership and is fundamental to how an organisation is directed, managed and controlled. Effective risk management, embedded at all levels of the organisation, and throughout the organisation’s activities, is essential to the successful achievement of organisational objectives.  

We are experts in matters relating to risks and controls, and as part of our audit work we routinely deliver insights that support business leaders in determining how threats and opportunities can be better identified, analysed, managed and reported against. 

We can, in addition, deliver a range of risk management specific services tailored to your requirements. Examples of services we deliver include: 

• Management development sessions dealing with key aspects of the risk management process and related matters (e.g. risk appetite) and how the process might be adapted to an organisation’s or department’s specific needs;
• Facilitation of Board level sessions targeted at delivering improved understanding of the individual risk types / biases of individuals who comprise the team, the prevalent risk culture within the team, and how these ‘human factors’ might influence risk perception and decision making;
• Provision of training on specific aspects of risk (e.g. information governance, cyber security, counter fraud);
• Board Assurance Framework and Risk Management Framework benchmarking; and,
• The provision of guidance and support for organisations who wish to further develop their assurance frameworks and associated risk management arrangements.

In addition to our Internal Audit, Assurance and Advisory services, we provide a dedicated and independent Investigating Officer resource to support organisation’s Human Resources disciplinary and grievance investigations.  One of our suitably skilled team members will undertake the investigation in accordance with the client’s internal Disciplinary Policy and Procedure and provide a comprehensive report following completion of the investigation. For further details, please contact us on yhs-tr.audityorkshire@nhs.net

We have significant experience of providing support to clients during times of organisational development and change.  

This has included supporting the arrangements of NHS organisation mergers and transitions to alternative organisations.  This has included devising and supporting organisations undertake detailed diligence checklists to ensure all activities are considered.

We have experience of support Trusts work towards and achieve Foundation Trust status.