The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) formally took up its powers under the Charities and Trustees Investment (Scotland) Act 2005.

Our vision

Our vision is for a flourishing charity sector in which the public has confidence, underpinned by OSCR's effective delivery of its regulatory role.

Our objectives

• increase public confidence in charities through effective regulation
• increase transparency and public accountability of charities
• increase charity trustees' compliance with the 2005 Act
• establish and maintain OSCR as a trusted, effective and innovative regulator
• minimise the burden of regulation on charities wherever possible, with particular emphasis on reducing multiple reporting
• operate effectively and efficiently, demonstrating a commitment to the principles and practice of Best Value.

 

Our general functions

The Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 states that our general functions are to:

• determine whether bodies are charities
• keep a public register of charities
• encourage, facilitate and monitor compliance by charities with the provisions of the Act
• identify and investigate apparent misconduct in the administration of charities and to take remedial or protective action in relation to such misconduct
• give information or advice, or to make proposals, to Scottish Ministers on matters relating to OSCR’s functions.

 

Our values

We are committed to the principles of regulation developed by the Better Regulation Task Force. We believe it is critical that we demonstrate these values which we identify as being:

 

Independent: we will maintain our operational independence, acting without fear or favour, in the public interest.

 

Proportionate: our actions, procedures and culture will be proportionate to the burden of regulation on charities of different sizes, to the degree of risk involved and to the potential impact.

 

Accountable: we will be proactive in accounting to all our stakeholders, which will include involving others on a continuous and appropriate basis.

 

Transparent: we will adopt a Freedom of Information culture from the outset.

 

Consistent: we will act consistently in our decision making and will also aim to act as an exemplar, observing best practice.

 

Fair: we will exercise our powers and discretion in a way which is consistent, impartial and even-handed.

 

 

Our work

Our corporate plan and corporate plan: executive summary sets out our strategic objectives for 2009 -2011 and demonstrates how we will deliver our statutory obligations and develop our services to meet changing sector needs, to deliver quality and to ensure best value. 

 

Our annual report and accounts and Annual Review provide a summary of the work we have undertaken towards our business objectives over the last year .

 

Read our performance indicator pages which capture statistical information about the sector and shows how well we are carrying out our functions.

 

Our service standards

We are committed to carrying out our responsibilities to the highest standards possible. 

Our service standards detail the level of service you can expect from us, including how to make a complaint.