External Links
Here you can find a number of useful websites and links.
OSCR accepts no responsibility for the content or reliability of any external website nor does it endorse any view expressed therein. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of such sites.
If you would like us to add a link to your website please complete and return our website link form.
Please click on the organisation's name to view their website.
Government departments and agencies
His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Charities is responsible for the administration of tax reliefs available to Charities and the direct and indirect tax obligations of Charities and charity trading companies. HMRC also provides guidance about tax reliefs available to donors. The HMRC charity pages are intended to provide you with a one stop shop for information and questions about tax issues relating to charities and charitable donations.
The devolved Government for Scotland is responsible for most of the issues of day-to-day concern to the people of Scotland, including health, education, justice, rural affairs and transport, and policy issues relating to charity law and regulation in Scotland.
Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)
The SSSC is responsible for registering and regulating people who work in social services in Scotland.
Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (SCSWIS)
SCSWIS (formerly the Care Commission, now known as the Care Inspectorate) is an independent body set up to scrutinise and improve care, social work and child protection services for the benefit of the people who use them.
The Scottish Housing Regulator
The Scottish Housing Regulator is the Scottish Government's housing and regeneration agency and is the registrar and regulator for Registered Social Landlords (RSLs), many of which have charitable status.
Charity Commission for England and Wales
The Charity Commission is established by law as the regulator and registrar for charities in England and Wales.
The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland
The Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 created the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (CCNI). The CCNI will establish a compulsory charity register of all charities operating in Northern Ireland. It will provide a charity test of who is and who isn't a charity. It will also put in place new requirements for all public collections.
The Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC)
The SLCC was set up to investigate complaints made by members of the public about services provided by legal practitioners in Scotland. It operates wholly independently of the legal profession and launched on the 1st of October 2008. The Commission cannot accept any complaints before that time, and so until then service complaints should be addressed to the relevant professional organisation.
General Regulatory Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland
The General Regulatory Chamber is a Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland created by the Tribunals (Scotland) Act 2014. The Charity Appeals jurisdiction of the First-tier Tribunal deals with appeals against decisions made by OSCR.
They are independent from OSCR and are not involved in any earlier decisions about a case.
The Upper Tribunal for Scotland
The Upper Tribunal for Scotland hears appeals on decisions of the chambers of the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland.
Voluntary sector organisations
Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO)
The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is the national membership organisation for the voluntary sector. Its mission is to support, promote and develop a confident, sustainable voluntary sector in Scotland.
By joining a community of over 2,000 charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises, SCVO members also receive access to a range of fantastic benefits.
SCVO members get the latest news and content via e:bulletins and Third Force News magazine, along with exclusive access to Funding Scotland, SCVO networks and priority booking for flagship events. SCVO members are also entitled to discounts on payroll and training, and free advice on everything from law and HR to policy and digital.
SCVO membership provides practical support to help you successfully run a voluntary sector organisation – find out more at https://scvo.scot/about/community/membership .
Each local authority area in Scotland has a Third Sector Interface, bringing together Councils for Voluntary Service and Volunteer Centres.
A Third Sector Interface will provide:
- Support to voluntary organisations operating in its area, both local and those national organisations that deliver services at the local level.
- Support to and promotion of volunteering.
- Support and development of social enterprise.
- Connection between the Community Planning Partnership and the Third Sector.
Scottish Fundraising Standards Panel
The Panel is established for the purposes of overseeing enhanced self-regulation of fundraising in Scotland, to be responsible for fundraising standards in Scotland and to handle fundraising complaints related to Scottish registered charities. Their core functions are:
(i) to oversee fundraising standards in Scotland; and
(ii) to oversee fundraising complaints.
Professional support
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants. They offer business-relevant qualifications to those are the world interested in a career in accountancy, finance and management.
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA)
CIPFA, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, is the professional body for people in public finance. The only professional body in the world to specialize their resources in public finance, they provide qualifications accountants working in the public sector, as well as postgraduate degrees for those already working in leadership positions.
The Law Society of Scotland is the governing body for Scottish solicitors. The Society promotes the interests of the solicitors' profession and those of the public in relation to the profession. The website gives information about; where to find and what to expect from a solicitor, the history of Scots law, and the latest news from the Society.