New arrangements were introduced for the regulation of charity fundraising in Scotland in 2016. These followed high profile UK media coverage of instances of poor fundraising practice.

In line with a commitment made when the new system was introduced, an external review of the regulatory system has been commissioned by the Scottish Government.
 
Your input, through completing the 10 questions that follow, will help ensure fundraising regulation in Scotland remains fit for purpose.

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* 1. Under the enhanced system of self-regulation that was adopted in 2016, charities are primarily responsible for handling fundraising complaints.  Their trustees must address any complaints that cannot be resolved by the staff team.

Ultimately, the independent Scottish Fundraising Standards Panel, made up of experts in relevant fields, adjudicates on unresolved fundraising complaints related to Scottish charities. The Panel is also responsible for overseeing fundraising standards in Scotland.

Does this system of self-regulation remain the correct approach for Scotland?

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* 2. The Code of Fundraising Practice details the standards against which the Scottish Fundraising Standards Panel adjudicates. It is currently UK-wide and owned/maintained by the Fundraising Regulator, which consults on any amendments that may be required. Do you think that:

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* 3. Fundraising performed in Scotland, but carried out by charities based in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, is regulated by the Fundraising Regulator. This mirrors how charities themselves are regulated by OSCR and the Charity Commission. Is it the correct approach?

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* 4. Is the Scottish fundraising regulatory system, described above:

  Yes No I'm unsure
Clear and accessible?
Well connected to other regulators  such as OSCR, the Information Commissioner, etc.)?
Streamlined?

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* 5. How could the system of fundraising regulation in Scotland be improved?

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* 6. Stopping fundraising calls/mail: The Telephone & Mailing Preference Services enable the public to stop unwanted sales/marketing calls or post, including those relating to charity fundraising.  The Information Commissioner can also address persistent unwanted emails and texts from specific companies or charities.

The Fundraising Preference Service, operated by the Fundraising Regulator, also provides a service intended to help the public to stop telephone, addressed post, emails and/or text messages from individual charities they specify. It currently only covers charities based in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Do you think the Fundraising Preference Service should be extended to cover charities based in Scotland?

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* 7. Fundraising complaints - Has your charity handled any fundraising complaints from public in the last year, or have you made a complaint about charity fundraising in the last year?

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* 8. If you are from a charity, has your complaints process been updated in line with the new fundraising regulatory systems?

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* 9. About you: Are you answering this on behalf of:

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* 10. And, if you are from a charity, are you:

Thank you for completing this survey. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Richard Hamer, at Animate Consulting, via richard@animateconsulting.co.uk or 07939 082274

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