6. What does OSCR need to know?

When we look at applications to become a charity from Social Enterprises we need to ask the following questions:

• Can we identify the applicant’s social mission?
• Can we link the social mission entirely to charitable purposes?
• Is there a sufficient asset lock?
• Will the trading activity directly advance the charitable purpose(s) (primary purpose trading)?
• If not (the trade is to raise funds), will the trade be carried out directly by the applicant or through a subsidiary?
• Will there be a delay in providing public benefit?
• Will there be any private benefit to the proposed charity trustees or others?

Where the answers to these questions are unclear, we will need the applicant to provide us with more information. If you are unable to answer all or most of these questions then you should get some advice before applying to become a charity. See question 8 for sources of help and advice.