Our Work

We derive our powers from The Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 (the Act).

Functions

We were set up 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.

Values

We have formulated our values drawing on the principles of regulation developed by the Better Regulation Task Force.

We are:

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

Proportionate: our actions as a regulator are appropriate and necessary taking into account the degree of risk, size of charity, the nature of the issues to be addressed and the potential impact on charity beneficiaries or assets or the public interest.

Accountable: we are answerable, in different ways, to our stakeholders which includes involving others on a continuous and appropriate basis, demonstrating our impact, providing value for money and welcoming external scrutiny.

Transparent: we act in a way that is open, predictable and understandable.  This includes making available the relevant criteria and facts underpinning our actions.

Consistent: we act consistently in our decision making on the basis of publicly stated principles and policies and act as an exemplar, observing best practice.

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

Targeted: our regulatory activities are clearly focused on the basis of evidence and we act in such a way as to minimise any negative consequence.

Informed: we gather adequate information from the appropriate sources to ensure that our actions are properly informed.

Equalities and diversity

We are committed to mainstreaming equality and will work in a way which meets our statutory requirements as a public authority and encourages equal opportunity.  Under the Act, we must perform our functions in a manner that encourages equal opportunities and the observance of equal opportunity requirements.  We also have responsibilities under equalities legislation, including:
  • Race Relations Act 2000 - race equality duty
  • Disability Discriminations Act 2005 - disability equality duty
  • Equality Act 2006 - gender equality duty .
Our Interim Equality Strategy 2011-12 sets out how we will meet our equality duties.

Environmental Management

We are committed to environmental sustainability and cutting our carbon emissions as part of the fight against climate change.  To meet our carbon responsibilities we have signed up to the Carbonlite Programme in partnership with the Carbon Trust.
The carbonlite programme provides a structured way in which we can:
  • assess  the current carbon emissions of our organisation
  • assess the options for carbon emission reduction
  • set targets for the future
  • prepare a plan to reduce carbon emissions.
For more information on how we plan to reduce our carbon emissions read our Carbon Management Plan.

Management Information

We publish monthly management information on:

  • the work that we do and how well we are doing it
  • how well charities are responding to OSCR's requirements
  • information on the charity sector.

Click on the links below to read this information:

2011-12 management information.

Year end figures for 2010-11.

Financial reporting published in accordance with the Public Services Reform Act 2010.