Here you can find information and links to organisations such as Advice UK, the Ombudsman Association, the Scottish Human Rights Commission and the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman. 

  • Advice UK

    AdviceUK is the UK’s largest support network for independent advice services. It was formed in 1979 as the Federation of Independent Advice Centres (FIAC).

    Visit the Advice UK website

  • Association of Scottish Police Superintendents

    The Association of Scottish Police Superintendents is one of three police staff associations in Scotland and currently represents the interests of some 200+ Superintendents and Chief Superintendents in the Police Service of Scotland.

    Visit the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents website

  • Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service

    The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) is Scotland’s prosecution service. It receives reports about crimes from the police and other reporting agencies and decides what action to take, including whether to prosecute someone. It also looks into deaths that need further explanation and investigates allegations of criminal conduct against police officers.

    Visit the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service website

  • Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland

    Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) provides independent scrutiny of both Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority. Its approach is to support Police Scotland and the Authority to deliver services that are high quality, continually improving, effective and responsive to local needs.

    HMICS can inspect other UK police services that operate in Scotland and are members of the National Preventive Mechanism, inspecting police custody centres to monitor the treatment and conditions for detainees.

    Visit Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland website

  • Independent Office for Police Conduct

    The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) oversees the police complaints system in England and Wales and sets the standards by which the police should handle complaints. It is independent, making its decisions entirely independently of the police and government. It is not part of the police.

    Visit the Independent Office for Police Conduct website

  • Law Society of Scotland

    The Law Society of Scotland was established in 1949 and is financed by its members without any funding from government.

    All Scottish practising solicitors are members of the Society and are required to meet its high standards. The Society also has an important duty towards the public interest.

    Visit the Law Society of Scotland website

  • The Office of Surveillance Commissioners

    The Office of Surveillance Commissioners is responsible for overseeing the use of covert surveillance by designated public authorities based in the UK, and by the Police and Customs operating within the Sovereign Base Areas of Cyprus. It does not oversee the intelligence or security services.

    Visit the Office of Surveillance Commissioners website

  • Ombudsman Association

    The Ombudsman Association is a professional association for ombudsmen and complaint handlers, their staff and others interested in the work of independent complaint resolution.

    Visit the Ombudsman Association website

  • Samaritans

    Samaritans vision is that fewer people die by suicide. They work to achieve this vision by making it their mission to alleviate emotional distress and reduce the incidence of suicide feelings and suicidal behaviour.

    Visit the Samaritans website

  • Scottish Government

    The devolved government for Scotland has a range of responsibilities which include: health, education, justice, rural affairs, housing and the environment. Some powers are reserved to the UK government and include: immigration, the constitution, foreign policy and defence.

    Visit the Scottish Government website

  • Scottish Human Rights Commission

    The Scottish Human Rights Commission promotes and protects human rights for everyone in Scotland. We are an independent public body, accountable to the people of Scotland through the Scottish Parliament. We have been working in Scotland since December 2008.

    Visit the Scottish Human Rights Commission website

  • Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance

    SIAA is a membership organisation that has the overall aim of ensuring that Independent Advocacy is available to any vulnerable person in Scotland. Independent Advocacy safeguards people who are vulnerable and discriminated against or whom services find difficult to serve, empowering people who need a stronger voice by enabling them to express their own needs and make their own decisions.

    Visit the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance website

  • Scottish Legal Complaints Commission

    The introduction of the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007 created the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) on 1 October 2008. It provides a single gateway for complaints against legal practitioners operating in Scotland and aims to resolve complaints quickly and effectively.

    Visit the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission website

  • Scottish Police Federation

    The statutory remit of the SPF is the welfare and efficiency of police officers. SPF negotiates pay, conditions and pensions for the police.  It provides a comprehensive legal advice and assistance service. It arranges life and other insurances, assists with and supports several Police related charities which provide help for Police Officers and their families.

    Visit the Scottish Police Federation website

  • Scottish Public Services Ombudsman

    The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) is the final stage for complaints about councils, the National Health Service, housing associations, colleges and universities, prisons, most water providers, the Scottish Government and its agencies and departments and most Scottish authorities.

    Visit the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman website

  • Scottish Refugee Council

    As an independent charity, the Scottish Refugee Council provides essential information and advice to people seeking asylum and refugees in Scotland.  It also campaigns for political change, raises awareness about issues that affect refugees; and works closely with local communities and organisations.

    Scottish Refugee Council

  • YouthLink Scotland

    YouthLink Scotland is the national agency for youth work. It is a membership organisation and is in the unique position of representing the interests and aspirations of the whole of the sector both voluntary and statutory. YouthLink Scotland champions the role and value of the youth work sector, challenging government at national and local levels to invest in the development of the sector.

    Visit the YouthLink Scotland website

  • Young Scot

    Young Scot is the national youth information and citizenship charity. We provide young people, aged 11 - 26, with a mixture of information, ideas and incentives to help them become confident, informed and active citizens. We do this in a variety of formats, including online, social, apps, magazines, and phone, etc, so young people can access information in a way they are comfortable with.

    Visit the Young Scot website