What Does Better Regulation Mean for the Third Sector?
The third sector is affected by the same employment and health and safety legislation as other employers, as well as wider regulatory requirements specific to voluntary organisations.
What is the third sector?
The third sector is a term used to describe:
- charities
- community and voluntary organisations
- social enterprises (e.g. housing associations)
- cooperatives and mutuals.
Tackling legislation affecting the third sector
Because of the nature of the sector, certain guidelines are more relevant to these organisations than they are to the private sector. For example, anyone working with children or vulnerable people is particularly affected by criminal record checks.
In addition to the work being done to reduce regulation in general, government departments are working to tackle the additional burdens on third sector organisations.
Office of the Third Sector
The Office of the Third Sector (OTS) is responsible for charity-specific legislation and the overall legal framework for organisations in this sector. It works to ensure a good regulatory environment for the sector, such as overseeing the implementation of the Charities Act 2006.
The OTS has also initiated ongoing research to quantify administrative burdens in this area and develop further ideas for reduction.
Charity Commission
The Charity Commission for England and Wales is the regulator and registrar of charities in England and Wales. It aims to provide regulation that will increase the efficiency and effectiveness of charities, and inspire public confidence in them.
Charities Act
Central to the Government’s work has been the Charities Act 2006. This modernises the legal and regulatory framework for charities and includes a number of deregulatory measures, particularly for smaller charities.
The Act has already delivered benefits, with more than 50,000 charities now exempt from completing a full annual return.
Have your say on regulation
We need to hear the views of anyone who works in the third sector to make a difference where it matters.
If you have any suggestions on how to reduce bureaucracy and make like easier for voluntary organisations, please submit them at Better Regulation.
You can also see examples of how the third sector is benefiting from ideas the Government has already put into practice.