Press release

New charity investigation: Deen Team

The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into Deen Team, registered charity number 1155560.

This news article was withdrawn on

This Inquiry has closed.

Read the statement of the results of the Inquiry into Deen Team.

The Charity Commission, the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales, has opened a statutory inquiry into Deen Team, registered charity number (1155560). The inquiry was opened on 30 June 2016.

The charity has objects:

  • for the relief of poverty in the UK, in particular but not exclusively supporting homeless people and single parents
  • to advance in life and help young people through the provision of recreational and leisure time activities and providing support and activities which develop their skills, capacities and capabilities
  • for the relief of financial need and suffering amongst victims of natural or other kinds of disaster

The commission carried out a Compliance Visit to the charity on 15 July 2014 as the charity was newly registered and operating in Syria, a high risk area. Following that visit the commission issued regulatory advice and guidance to the trustees on 6 December 2014 and closed its case.

As part of its proactive monitoring work the commission re-engaged with the trustees in November 2015 to ensure that the regulatory advice and guidance had been implemented. However, the commission did not receive the requested information and the trustees have partially complied with orders made by the commission under Section 52 of the Charities Act 2011 requiring them to provide information and documentation to the commission.

The regulator has concerns regarding the financial management of the charity by the trustees, including that the charity does not appear to have had a bank account since February 2015 and it is in default with filing its first charity’s accounts with the commission. The commission also has concerns relating to the governance of the charity, including that the charity appear to have been operating outside the terms of its governing document, and that there is a risk to the charity’s property as a result of inadequate financial controls and poor governance.

As a result of these concerns, the commission has opened the inquiry which will examine:

  • the administration, governance and management of the charity by the trustees
  • the financial controls and management of the charity
  • whether or not the trustees have complied with and fulfilled their duties and responsibilities as trustees under charity law

It is the commission’s policy, after it has concluded an inquiry, to publish a report detailing what issues the inquiry looked at, what actions were undertaken as part of the inquiry and what the outcomes were. Reports of previous inquiries are available on GOV.UK.

The charity’s details can be viewed on the commission’s online charity search tool.

Ends

PR 41/16


Notes to editors

  1. The Charity Commission is the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales. To find out more about our work, see our annual report.
  2. Search for charities on our online register.
  3. Section 46 of the Charities Act 2011 gives the commission the power to institute inquiries. The opening of an inquiry gives the commission access to a range of investigative, protective and remedial legal powers.
  4. The commission’s decision to announce the opening of a statutory inquiry is based on whether it is in the public interest to do so and with consideration of our objective to increase public trust and confidence in charities.

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Published 21 July 2016