Is Children in Need a legitimate charity?

The register data used for this profile lists Children in Need as a registered charity (number SC039557) with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). Check the current register entry. A real charity number does not verify a fundraiser or appeal, and registration is not an impact rating.

What is Children in Need's charity number?

Children in Need's charity number is SC039557. Check that number on the OSCR register or this CharityCompare profile before you donate.

How do I check charity number SC039557?

Search SC039557 on the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) register or on CharityCompare. Confirm the registered name matches the organisation asking for money — scammers sometimes reuse real charity numbers.

Does Children in Need have reviews and complaints?

CharityCompare does not host public user reviews for Children in Need. This basic profile confirms registration and register facts. Rated charities also show a filing-based Clarity Score. For formal complaints, contact the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) or the Fundraising Regulator as appropriate.

How can I donate to Children in Need?

Children in Need's website listed in our register data is http://www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey. Verify it against the current register before donating. CharityCompare does not process donations or take a commission; the charity's payment provider may charge fees.

When was Children in Need registered as a charity?

Children in Need was entered on the register on 8 May 2008.

Registered charity · No. SC039557Company (the charity is registered with Companies House)

Children in Need

Independent profile · Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) data

Children in Need is a registered charity in Scotland. Its register classifications include the prevention or relief of poverty, the relief of those in need by reason of age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage.

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At a glance · official register

What are the key facts about Children in Need?

Reported income · year ending 2025-06-30: £61,012,000
Reported spending · year ending 2025-06-30: £53,623,000
Registered charity number: SC039557
Status in source extract: Registered
Charity type: Company (the charity is registered with Companies House)
Register contact address detail (not service area): Outwith Scotland
Website: www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey

Quick answer

Children in Need (number SC039557) is listed as registered in the OSCR snapshot used here. Check the live register for its current position. Registration does not authenticate a particular fundraising appeal or establish the impact of a donation.

What does Children in Need do?

The Charity's objects are to further such exclusively charitable objects and purposes in any part of the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man as the Trustees think fit and in particular to advance life and help children and young people, in particular (without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) through the relief of need, hardship, ill-health, disability and distress.

Activities reported on the official register · extract 2026-10-04.

From the annual return

Pay, income, Gift Aid and registration details for Children in Need

Answers Children in Need gave in its annual return to the OSCR for the year ending 30 June 2025, plus its register entry. A blank answer in the return is shown as not reported, never as “no”.

Registration details

Registered as a charity: 8 May 2008
Also known as: BBC Children in Need
Where it says it operates: Outwith Scotland

What causes is Children in Need registered for?

the prevention or relief of povertythe relief of those in need by reason of age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage

Why is there no Clarity Score for Children in Need yet?

Our dataset does not yet contain the detailed filing history needed to score Children in Need. An unrated profile is a gap in our assessment, not a negative judgement about the charity. The register facts and available annual-return disclosures above remain useful. Payment never influences a rating. How scoring works

What should you check before donating to Children in Need?

Match the registered name and number to the appeal. A real charity number can be copied by someone impersonating the organisation.
Open the current register entry to check status, contact details and available accounts. This profile reflects a dated extract.
Read the charity’s annual report for its work and results. An unrated profile means we lack a full assessment; it is not a negative rating.

How to read charity accounts · Explore rated charities

Is this your charity?

Claim this profile free to submit your description and an optional logo for review, correct details, or respond publicly. Approved claims show attribution and claimed status. Optional paid plans add enhanced media, reporting and labelled featured visibility by tier; they never change a score.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Children in Need a legitimate charity?: The register data used for this profile lists Children in Need as a registered charity (number SC039557) with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). Check the current register entry. A real charity number does not verify a fundraiser or appeal, and registration is not an impact rating.
What is Children in Need's charity number?: Children in Need's charity number is SC039557. Check that number on the OSCR register or this CharityCompare profile before you donate.
How do I check charity number SC039557?: Search SC039557 on the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) register or on CharityCompare. Confirm the registered name matches the organisation asking for money — scammers sometimes reuse real charity numbers.
What does Children in Need do?: The Charity's objects are to further such exclusively charitable objects and purposes in any part of the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man as the Trustees think fit and in particular to advance life and help children and young people, in particular (without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) through the relief of need, hardship, ill-health, disability and distress.
Does Children in Need have reviews and complaints?: CharityCompare does not host public user reviews for Children in Need. This basic profile confirms registration and register facts. Rated charities also show a filing-based Clarity Score. For formal complaints, contact the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) or the Fundraising Regulator as appropriate.
How can I donate to Children in Need?: Children in Need's website listed in our register data is http://www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey. Verify it against the current register before donating. CharityCompare does not process donations or take a commission; the charity's payment provider may charge fees.
When was Children in Need registered as a charity?: Children in Need was entered on the register on 8 May 2008.

Source: Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) register extract dated 2026-10-04, used under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Always verify current details on the official register entry.