The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations is the membership organisation for Scotland's charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. Charity registered in Scotland SC003558. Registered office Caledonian Exchange, 19A Canning Street, Edinburgh EH3 8EG.
Accessible HR support
Supported by
SCVO is excited to once again be providing free HR support and development to 35 arts, screen and creative industries employers for 12 months, supported by Creative Scotland. We know that organisations want to create working environments where people can thrive in the creative industries. But budgets are tight, people are busy, and dedicated HR expertise isn't always accessible. We’re here to help.
We’ll provide:
- HR health check of policies and procedures
- one-to-one expert HR and people management advice from SCVO’s HR Service team
- webinars, peer-to-peer learning and networking.
We’ll work with participating organisations to understand the needs of creative organisations to help us further develop our sector specific resources. Your participation will help us offer you better support in the future. The programme will be evaluated by CG Research.
Eligibility and application process
Who can apply?
Here’s everything you need to know about applying. The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday 16th February 2026.
To apply you must be a:
Micro to small sized arts, screen, and creative industries organisation
with no in-house HR, or specialist HR support
based in Scotland
Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to:
- Arts, screen and creative industries organisations based in Scotland
- Artists' spaces, hubs, studios, incubators, workshops
- Community arts organisations
- Creative collectives and networks
- Festivals
- Residency providers
You don’t have to be a charity, CIC or social enterprise to take part, but your organisation does need to deliver work which has a wider public value.
If you're unsure if you're eligible, please email HRService@scvo.scot.
Who cannot apply?
- Organisations based outside of Scotland
- Organisations that already have access to dedicated in-house and/or specialist HR and people management support
- Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) set up around screen productions
- Heritage organisations
- National collections and national performing companies (see full list on the Scottish Government website)
If you're unsure if you're eligible, please email HRService@scvo.scot.
- Educational institutions, including higher and further education providers
- Organisations with core activities that are not part of the arts, screen or creative industries
- Individuals seeking HR support eg people who are in dispute with their employer
What areas can SCVO's HR Service help with?
We can help with a broad range of topics, including one-to-one advice, guidance and templates. These include:
- Disciplinary and grievance
- Employment contracts
- Dismissals
- Fixed-term / permanent employment / freelance work
- Flexible working
- Pay and terms and conditions
- Redundancies
- Safeguarding
- Working with volunteers
We will make sure that our support:
- Is flexible and responsive to your organisations’ needs and time constraints
- Is thoughtful, expert and trustworthy, and understands the arts, screen and creative industries organisations' operating contexts
- Is available regularly and repeatedly within the project timeframe
- Is sensitive to your starting point and will inform, advise and coach without judgement
Applied before?
If you took part in HR for creatives in 2023 and 2024, you're welcome to apply again if you're working on new policies and procedures or if you have new priorities.
How to apply
The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday 16th February 2026. Please read the guidance fully before applying and once you're ready, please complete the application form below and submit before the deadline.
Email your completed application form to HRService@scvo.scot.
Background of the project
In 2023, Creative Scotland and SCVO worked together to deliver accessible HR support in a project called HR for creatives. The project was created in response to the challenges for small creative employers without HR support navigating the complexities of UK employment legislation, aligning with Scottish Government's Fair Work agenda and implementing HR best practice.
The project worked with organisations to understand the HR challenges, specific needs and the working culture of arts, screen and creative industries employers working with employees, freelancers and volunteers.
The project incorporated research into participant organisations' learning journeys so that the wider arts, screen and creative industries sector could learn from the project. The evaluation report of the first round of HR for creatives is here.
About SCVO
The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is the national membership organisation for the voluntary sector. SCVO is passionate about the voluntary sector and believes that charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups make Scotland a better place. Our vision is a thriving voluntary sector at the heart of a successful, fair and inclusive Scotland.
Our team of experienced and qualified HR professionals provide HR advice and resources to voluntary sector organisations. SCVO is committed to offering Fair Work and to supporting other organisations to offer Fair Work.
About Creative Scotland
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here. We enable people and organisations to work in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland by helping others to develop great ideas and bring them to life. We distribute funding from the Scottish Government and The National Lottery.
Screen Scotland sits within Creative Scotland and is the dedicated partnership for screen in Scotland, delivering enhanced support for all aspects of Scotland's screen sector.
As a non-regulatory, non-advisory (on HR matters) organisation, Creative Scotland is partnering on the delivery of this work with SCVO.
About CG Research
Clair Gilchrist has over 20 years' experience delivering research and evaluation within the cultural sector. After roles leading research with Culture Republic and Bonnar Keenlyside, she has worked as an independent consultant, establishing CG Research in 2018.
CG Research has delivered evaluations for Creative Scotland, including the Radical Care programme and the VACMA funding scheme. Regular clients include Edinburgh International Festival, City of Edinburgh Council and Craft Scotland. CG Research is committed to producing research that is meaningful and actionable - working collaboratively, focusing on what matters and always asking the 'so what?' questions.
Clair is a Certified Member of the Market Research Society and as such abides by the MRS Code of Conduct. Clair is registered with the ICO to use data for market research.