SCSN is a registered Scottish Charity (SC357649) and Company Limited by Guarantee in Scotland (SC040464). We are primarily a membership organisation that brings together representatives from across the community safety sector to achieve a shared vision. We also host Home Safety Scotland (a forum of home safety organisations and professionals).

We are the strategic voice for community safety in Scotland and through working collaboratively with our members and partner agencies aim to:

  • Provide leadership and be a centre of excellence for the community safety sector
  • Champion community safety and influence the shaping and development of national policy and local delivery
  • Be a collaborative learning, developing and sustainable network.

You can view our Strategic Plan here and our Business Plan here.

To achieve these aims, SCSN currently provides a range of services which inform local and national delivery including:

  • Knowledge Exchange – sharing of practice through case studies, thematic papers and research papers; sitting on strategic groups and forums
  • Learning & Events – covering a range of cross-cutting issues and national initiatives
  • Guidance and Toolkits – including briefing papers on current and emerging national developments and resources to support partnerships in planning and evidencing impact
  • Forums and network meetings – to encourage information sharing and networking within the community safety sector
  • Safety NET-works – our monthly newsletter sharing information on SCSN services, funding, national consultations, community safety initiatives and national research
  • Media Monitor – our monthly Media Monitor provides a snapshot of community safety related stories in the press and media helping keep you informed
  • Safer Communities Scotland Podcast – We publish a new Podcast episode every month featuring discussions with experts from across the community safety sector.

People Over Process

At SCSN we believe in people over process. That was true before the Covid 19 pandemic.

However, the pandemic forced all of us to rethink and adjust to new ways of working in very quick time. There was a lot of talk during the worst days of the pandemic about us rethinking not just how we work, but how we live, and what impact our work life has on our wellbeing – and on our environment. In late 2021 SCSN began a 6 month pilot of a four day working week for our staff. We completed regular staff surveys throughout the pilot, with our senior national development officer writing a three part blog series.

The pilot ended in March 2022 and following appraisal of staff feedback, taking feedback from stakeholders, & discussion with our board, we officially became a four day week employer! We believe that this will benefit our staff, our organisation and contribute to a positive impact on the environment. You can find out more about our 4 Day week pilot here.

We are now a Gold Accredited 4 Day Week employer with the 4 Day Week Campaign.


Annual Reports

For more information on SCSN and the work that we do:

Annual Report 2022-23

SCSN Audited Accounts 2022-23

Annual Report 2021-22
SCSN Audited Accounts 2021-22

Annual Report 2020-21 
SCSN Audited Accounts 2020-21 

Articles of Association