Useful Links

The links shown here are to sites, some of which, staff at BCVS have found useful at various times in their work. They are by no means exhaustive and if you know about a particularly useful site let us know.

You are of course very welcome to give us a call and we will answer your query if we can but these agencies provide more specialised services.

Please note the contents of our 'legal disclaimer' before using these sites. BCVS is not responsible for the accuracy of information provided by any of these organisations.

COMMISSIONING

For links to sites oin which tendering apportunities are advertised and other related resources click:- Commissioning links

EMPLOYMENT

ACAS provide an 'A-Z of work on their site at www.acas.org.uk . They provide a helpline for free advice on employment matters. You can also access a number of free on-line training courses concerning employment via this page.

The Department of Trade and Industry provide information about many employment issues as well as other aspects of running a business at www.dti.gov.uk.

The TUC have information about workers rights and other matters at www.tuc.org.uk.

SETTING UP AND RUNNING A CHARITY

The Charity Commission provide information about most aspects of setting up and running a charity at www.charity-commission.gov.uk . If you click on 'publications' on their home page you can access all of the Commission guidance documents which provide answers to most questions which arise.

Companies House at www.companieshouse.gov.uk will also be useful if your group is considering setting up as a charitable company.

The Inland Revenue have a charities department at www.hmrc.gov.uk/charities.

HEALTH & SAFETY

The Health & Safety Executive at www.hse.gov.uk provide many free leaflets including an outline Health & Safety Policy for small businesses. Click on 'publications' and then 'free leaflets'. Search for the one you need and then download as a pdf file.
Equalities

For help with issues relating to sex, gender, sexual orientation and related matters you might try the Equal Opportunities Commission at www.eoc.org.uk.

The Commission for Racial Equality provides information about matters relating to race, religion, ethnicity etc. at www.cre.gov.uk .

There are also local and regional organisations which might be able to help:-

Dorset Race Equality Council can be contacted on 01202 553003

The Disability Rights Commission www.drc-gb.org provide information relating to disabilities.

Local organisations such as Disability Wessex www.disabilitywessex.org.uk/home.php also provide help and advice.

VOLUNTEERING

Volunteering England are at www.volunteering.org.uk

CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECK

The Criminal Records Bureau are at www.crb.gov.uk. Their disclosure site at www.disclosure.gov.uk provides a facility for searching for CRB check umbrella bodies.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

The Community Development Foundation works to help communities achieve greater control over the conditions and decisions affecting their lives by: advising government, supporting community work, and carrying out research, evaluation and policy analysis. They provide a number of publications and a web site at www.cdf.org.uk