Latest News…
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
