Disclosure Scotland Workshop

As I am now a counter-signatory for the PVG applications within our organisation I was invited to attend a Disclosure Scotland Registered Bodies Workshop to learn more about the process. 

I am a member of the PVG scheme and have been for a number of years so I was aware of how the application process works but my knowledge on the scheme itself was minimal. I learned a lot of useful information, including what qualifies people to apply for each level of Disclosure. 

All our support staff are required to have a full PVG check before they start working in the community with our service users. Once you join the scheme you are registered for life, unless you apply to be removed. You can only do this if you are no longer employed in regulated work. Once you are a member of the scheme your employer will automatically be informed of any issues regarding your suitability to work and an update is done every 3 years.

Aside from PVG there are 3 levels of checks that that can be done for people who are not employed in regulated work. Basic Disclosures, Standard Disclosures and Enhanced Disclosures. These are a one-off check and you are not joining a scheme so employers would not be notified of any changes. You would need to apply again on a regular basis to check for updates.

It is not only criminal records provided by the Procurator Fiscal or Scottish Court Services that will appear on a PVG. Employers have a duty to inform Disclosure Scotland of any action that would cause them to remove a staff member from regulated work. If the staff member resigns before completion of the investigation, employers must continue the investigation to determine if the action would have resulted in dismissal. The employer still has a duty to refer to Disclosure Scotland even if there is involvement from the police. Disclosure Scotland will conduct their own investigation using the information from the employer and other sources. Scottish Ministers will make the final decision about listing/barring, adhering to the terms of the PVG Act in relation to how they carry out the consideration for listing process.

For more information on Disclosure Scotland you can check out their website www.mygov.scot/disclosure or follow them on twitter @disclosurescot.

I would recommend the workshop for any employer within regulated work (not just because the food they provided was fantastic!). It was a very informative day and i now know that i can contact them at any time for advice or guidance.