Governance

STAND (Stronger Together for Autism and Neurodivergence SCIO) is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), registered with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) under charity number SC052228.

Our registered office is 13 Tandberg Way, Haddington, EH41 3FZ.

As a SCIO, we are governed by the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005. This gives us a clear legal framework and ensures full accountability to our members, funders, and the wider public.

Scottish Charity Register

Click here to view our entry on the Scottish Charity Register.

Our Charitable Purposes

Under clause 4 of our constitution, our purposes are to advance:

1. Education – by improving understanding of neurodivergence in schools, services and communities.
   
   

2. Health – by supporting emotional wellbeing and access to appropriate care.
   
   

3. Community development – by helping build inclusive, neuroaffirming communities.
   
   

4. Recreation – by providing safe and accessible opportunities for children to play, learn and connect.
   
   

5. Human rights – by promoting and protecting the rights of neurodivergent children and their families.
   
   

6. Equality and diversity – by challenging discrimination and encouraging acceptance of difference.
   
   

7. Relief of those in need – by supporting families affected by disability or additional needs.
   
   

All our projects and activities are designed to further one or more of these charitable purposes and must align with them in both design and delivery.

How We’re Structured

STAND operates under a single-tier SCIO structure, meaning:

• Our Board of Trustees are also the members of the organisation.
  
  

• The Board is legally responsible for ensuring that all activities advance our charitable purposes and comply with Scottish charity law.
  
  

• Day-to-day operations are managed by our Chief Operating Officer, supported by volunteers and project leads.
  
  

This structure allows us to stay small, agile and values-driven, while maintaining the accountability and transparency expected of a registered Scottish charity.

Click here to find out more about our Board of Trustee and Chief Operating Officer, along with the other people who are vital to the charity's work.

Financial Stewardship and Public Benefit

Our constitution requires that:

• All income is used only to further our charitable purposes.
  
  

• No trustee receives payment except for reimbursement of reasonable expenses.
  
  

• Our annual accounts are independently examined and submitted to OSCR.

We are committed to acting transparently, maintaining the highest standards of governance, and ensuring that every pound raised helps to create a Scotland where neurodivergent children, their families and carers can thrive.

You can request to view our Constitution by clicking here. 

Each year, our Chair submits a report for STAND's Annual General Meeting. Click here to request to view a copy of the latest Chair's Report (2024-2025).

Please click here or email info@standuk.co.uk to request a copy of our Annual Accounts.