Disclosure Scotland – Latest News

Latest News…

15 March 2021

New PVG online application process

As from Monday 15th March, 2021, the new PVG online application process will be used for all Disclosure Scotland applications.  From this date the  current paper applications will no longer be accepted.

The new system is faster and a more efficient way to apply for PVG applications.

The recruitment process from an organisation’s point of view will not change, the only change will be in the way that the application is made.

Firstly, the organisation will carry out the checks as normal but instead of completing the online PVG application form, they should complete the ARC PVG application proforma fully (it is important to give the applicant’s email address), which should then be emailed to us at Disclosureservice@arcuk.org.uk

The process will then be as follows:

  • ARC will start the online process for the applicant
  • Once we have completed the countersignatory parts of the online application, we will be given an application reference number
  • ARC will reply to your email stating that the application has been started and that the applicant will have 7 days to complete from the date they receive the email from Disclosure Scotland
  • The applicant will then receive an email from Disclosure Scotland and will have 7 days to complete the application
  • If the application is not completed within 7 days, the application will be aborted and another application will need to be made. Please note that the ARC administration fee will be incurred for every application we begin online, even if the application is not completed in time by the applicant or if the application is aborted by Disclosure Scotland
  • ARC will receive an email from Disclosure Scotland stating that the application has been completed by the applicant and Disclosure Scotland is now processing the application
  • The certificate will be issued in the normal manner

Organisations can download the PVG online applicant guide by following the link below:

Disclosure Scotland – PVG Online – Applicant Guide Feb 2021

30 July 2020

Disclosure Scotland is aware that some employers are not finding it easy to determine if an application is routine or fits the coronavirus response worker criteria.
As a result of this Disclosure Scotland have updated their website with new guidance .
Now the country is in recovery, Disclosure Scotland expect most applications will be routine, however if your applicant meets all three of the criteria below they will be eligible for a free priority coronavirus response worker application:
  • only needs a disclosure because of their coronavirus work
  • in a role only supporting the response to coronavirus
  • working in a qualifying sector
All coronavirus response worker applications are being reviewed to ensure they meet the criteria.
If a submitted application does not meet the criteria, it will be returned and a new  routine application will need to be submitted and the normal fee will be chargeable.

26 June 2020

As of today (26 June), Disclosure Scotland are now accepting routine  PVG applications.  These applications can now be submitted on-line.  You will need to get the applicant to fill out an online application form, which should then be emailed to us at disclosureservice@arcuk.org.uk
You can find these forms on mygov.scot website by following the links below:
Please do not use the above forms if your application is in respect of COVID-19 response workers!
Disclosure Scotland will continue to prioritise checks for workers in coronavirus (COVID-19) response sectors. Fees will continue to be waived for these priority workers until midnight on Friday 25 December 2020, which means that only the ARC Admin Fee will be chargeable.
The forms used for coronavirus applications will be different to those in use for routine applications. To ensure applications are processed as quickly as possible, please ensure you are using the correct form.
 Disclosure Scotland will endeavour to return all applications as quickly as possible.

June 2020

Disclosure Scotland will continue to prioritise checks for workers in coronavirus (COVID-19) response sectors. Fees will continue to be waived for these priority workers until midnight on Friday 25 December 2020. This will mean that only the ARC Admin Fee will be applicable to these applications.

Please note:  that the above is a temporary measure and is solely for those who are being employed to help Scotland fight against coronavirus.

Disclosure Scotland is continuing to only process applications for workers who are deemed to be critical at this time.

The list of prioritised roles is as follows:

  • healthcare
  • pharmaceutical
  • childcare
  • social work
  • social care
  • prisons and justice
  • early years, primary and secondary education

May 2020

The suspension of disclosure fees for key workers and volunteers is being extended until 12th June, 2020, and will be reviewed again on this date and extended further, if necessary.  This will mean that only the ARC Admin Fee will be applicable to these applications.

Please note:  that the above is a temporary measure and is solely for those who are being employed to help Scotland fight against coronavirus.

Disclosure Scotland is continuing to only process applications for workers who are deemed to be critical at this time.

The list of prioritised roles is as follows:

  • healthcare
  • pharmaceutical
  • childcare
  • social work
  • social care
  • prisons and justice
  • early years, primary and secondary education

April 2020

Disclosure Scotland is suspending all fees for key workers and volunteers who are being drafted to help Scotland fight against coronavirus.  This will mean that only the ARC Admin Fee will be applicable to these applications.
This is a temporary measure which will be in place for an initial period of six weeks, before being reviewed and extended further, if needed.
In addition, Disclosure Scotland has already put a number of temporary measures in place to ensure the country can be properly resourced to tackle COVID-19, including only processing applications for workers deemed critical to the fight.

March 2020

Disclosure Scotland have been working closely with the Scottish Government regarding the current situation concerning the COVID-19 pandemic.

As you are aware Disclosure Scotland  have begun a process of prioritising checks for those who are key workers during this time.
To help the prioritisation of processing applications as of Monday 30th March, 2020, Disclosure Scotland will no longer be accepting paper applications.
  • All applications now need to be done via the website by Countersignatories of Registered Bodies only.
  • The applications will then be processed by Disclosure Scotland through a priority service
  • Disclosure Scotland will then email us a notification of the outcome, wherever possible, prior to receiving the paper certificate in a quicker time frame
  • If it is not possible for Disclosure Service to email notification of the outcome, either you will have to wait for the paper certificate to be issued or Disclosure Scotland will send out a notification stating that they have been unable to prioritise the application at this time, and that they are unable to give a time frame for completion of the application
If Disclosure Scotland do not send a disclosure, either by email or certificate, it is important that you do not assume that this is because they are late or have made a mistake.  A small number of applications need Disclosure Scotland to be fully operational to process them and that is impossible at this time.
Disclosure Scotland are providing a safeguarding service to ensure the vast majority of applicants can get cleared to help with coronavirus.

As it stands the list of prioritised roles remains:

  • Healthcare
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Childcare
  • Social work
  • Social care
  • Prisons and justice
As the situation develops and evolves, the list of prioritised sectors may change as Disclosure Scotland identifies other sectors with roles critical to supporting the Scottish Government during this crisis.

August 2019

Disclosure Scotland Workshops

Disclosure Scotland run workshops on ‘Duty to Refer’ and ‘PVG Eligibility’, places on these events are bookable via Evenbright and are free of charge.

Duty to refer – As employers who process checks for those in regulated work (PVG roles), the workshop will provide you with a greater understanding of your legal duties and the part you play in keeping Scotland safe.

PVG Eligibilty – This session gives those involved in recruitment the opportunity to learn about the purpose of the PVG scheme, available Disclosure Types and when to use them.

June 2019

Disclosure Scotland press release  –  Protecting Vulnerable Groups scheme to be mandatory.

Measures to strengthen the protection of children and vulnerable people, while simplifying the system of applying for criminal record checks, have been introduced to Parliament.

The Disclosure (Scotland) Bill will make the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme mandatory for anyone working with children and vulnerable people, such as sports coaches.

It will end lifetime membership of the PVG scheme, replacing it with a renewable five-year membership. It will also end the automatic disclosures of minor criminal offences committed as a young person, with decisions to be taken on a case by case basis.

To simplify the disclosure system, the number of different checks available will be cut from ten to four.

Minister for Children and Young People Maree Todd said:
“This Bill will deliver a fairer disclosure regime that protects our most vulnerable, is simpler for employers and less invasive for the majority of users.
“Mandatory registration for people working with children and older people is essential, but we will also ensure that people with minor convictions – particularly crimes committed under the age of 18 – have a better chance to move on and make a contribution to society.
“It will also simplify and modernise our disclosure system with applications being made online. This will speed up employment checks and reduce the burden on employers and applicants, while ensuring vulnerable groups receive the best possible protection.”

EU Framework Directive 2011/93 – combating the sexual abuse & sexual exploitation of children & child pornography

As part of the above Directive, Disclosure Scotland will be undertaking a pilot to carry out criminal history checks for Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) and Enhanced Level Police Act applications from people with an EU nationality. This will only affect those EU nationals who have applied to join the PVG Scheme for children for the first time, or those requiring an enhanced disclosure for a specific role with children.

The pilot involves carrying out checks on applicants from the 12 EU Member States who provided the highest volume of applications to Disclosure Scotland during 2016, and will commence from 1 May 2017 for the period of one year. During the first 6 months of the pilot, it is intended that there will be a gradual inclusion of the 12 EU Member States: France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Spain, commencing with the Netherlands.

Disclosure Scotland does not anticipate the pilot causing significant delay to these applications.

ID INFORMATION FOR COUNTRIES INVOLVED IN PILOT:

France: Town of birth. If town of birth is Paris, Marseille or Lyon an arrondissement (district) code is required – number between 1 and 20 French Nationals born overseas also require Parents’ names.
Greece: Town of birth. If born in Crete then town/region in Crete is required.
Italy: Town of birth
The Netherlands: Town of birth
Poland: Town of birth OR Parents’ names OR ID (PESEL) number
Portugal: Town of birth. A full name of a Portuguese national should comprise of two forenames and two family
Romania: Town of birth. If national ID or National card number provided, town of birth is not required
Spain: Town of birth