The Scottish PVG Scheme is expected to be introduced at the end of this year.  CCPAS has recently responded to a consultation document on the draft guidance. Click here for full document.

Scottish Ministers have made a strong commitment to ensuring that the PVG Scheme streamlines and simplifies the disclosure process.   Applications to join PVG for the first time or for a PVG Scheme record (the full record) will cost £59.  Once all the existing workforce has joined, the PVG Scheme record will only be required for people new to the workforce or when an ‘employer’ chooses to follow up any new vetting information relating to an employee. 

Once a person becomes a PVG Scheme member in respect of working with children, protecting adults or both, the proposed fee will be £18 for any future PVG Scheme Record Update (£5 less than the cost of an enhanced disclosure certificate under the current system).   In the vast majority of cases, this will be all that an ‘employer’ will need to confirm that there is no new vetting information about the PVG Scheme member.   This is because over 90% of current enhanced disclosures contain no new criminal history information.   It follows therefore, that over 90% of the PVG Scheme members will have no criminal history information on their scheme record when they join and only very small numbers are likely to acquire new convictions thereafter.  It will only be when a PCG Scheme Record Update shows that new vetting information has been recorded, that an employer might wish to request a PVG Scheme Record Disclosure to see the detail.  The proposed fee for this would be the difference between the cost of a full disclosure and the Update - £41. 

One of the key differences between the PVG Scheme and current practice is that ‘employers’, police and regulatory bodies will be able to share, with Disclosure Scotland, information about individuals who may be unsuitable to work with vulnerable groups.  This sharing of information will enable Disclosure Scotland to make a fair and robust assessment about whether a person should be placed on the list of those who are barred from working with children, the list of those who are barred from working with protected adults, or both. 

Once a person becomes a PVG Scheme member, any new vetting information – which is conviction and non-conviction information that is considered to be relevant held by police – will be added to their membership record.  In the vast majority of cases there will be no new vetting information.  When new vetting information that is a cause for concern does come to light, it is vital that it is reliable and robust. 

Some offences will qualify for automatic listing; others will not.  As in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, determining which offences represent this level of seriousness is complex.   Offences are committed by different types of individuals, in all kinds of circumstances.  The wide range of conduct covered by certain types of offences, such as assault, could range from relatively low level harm to serious and significant harm.  The PVG Act recognises that, in most cases, an individual should have the opportunity to make representation before any decision is made.   A full list of offences which qualify for automatic listing and other information about the scheme can be found by clicking here.

The PVG Scheme is expected to go live at the end of 2010.  The exact date is still to be announced by Scottish Ministers and the aim is to give ‘employers’ as much notice as possible of the go-live date to enable them to prepare.   Training and materials will be available in the run-up to, and after, go-live.  In the meantime, Disclosure Scotland emphasises the need for all organisations to ensure that appropriate safe recruitment, child and/or adult protection policies and procedures are in place.   Remember, CCPAS has model policies and procedures which will assist in this.  See ‘Safe and Secure’ manual on our website in the members area and our ‘Help’ booklet about safe recruitment.