Our help and guidance content includes step-by-step guides, downloadable templates and interactive tools to help you run your voluntary organisation
Learn about the practical steps you need to take to set up your own organisation
Access our guidance to help you decide if you should set up a new charity, voluntary organisation or community group
What you need to consider when choosing your legal structure and the main characteristics of different legal structures
Find out what charity status is and if you need to register as a charity
Find out about social enterprises and their associated legal structures
Find out what information should be included in your charity's governing document
Guidance and tools to help you run your charity or voluntary organisation
Practical guidance to help you recruit, manage and develop paid members of staff, including a useful introduction to employment law
At a time of crisis, charities want and need to be able to give their all to supporting people who need it most. They cannot do that if they have to suspend their work or close altogether.
Volunteering rates have remained stable over the last few years. In 2018/19, 22% of people regularly volunteered with a group, club or organisation. While the pandemic is unlikely to influence the overall numbers of people volunteering in the UK, we will
Find out about the key legal sources that we refer to in this guide
Find out where charities' duties of care can arise from and who they might affect
The key duties for charities and volunteer organisations regarding insurance
Find out about the Charity Commission's expectations for reporting incidents
The Charity Commission's recommended steps that your organisation can take
Find out about the specific role that trustees can play in safeguarding
Find out about the key Acts and treaties designed to protect children
Key areas of law to be aware of if you or your organisation is responsible for safeguarding children or young people
Duties of various bodies to protect children and young people
Key duties of public bodies for safeguarding children or young people