Archived News
1.
PVG Scheme Retrospective Checking Update
31 January 2013
It was hoped that by the end of January 2013 we would be in a position to provide a date
when we could move to being able to receive the full 100% of the monthly agreed volumes
for PVG retrospective checking applications. As previously explained, we have had issues
with our IT system that manages the PVG Scheme and this still continues to restrict us in our
capacity to accept PVG retrospective applications.
I understand the continued frustration this may cause you and I can assure you that we are
doing everything we can to minimise the disruption to you. We will inform you if we can
accept the full 100% of agreed volumes before the end of February, but if not we will update
you again at the end of February.
2. Guidance on Health Services in relation to Police Act
Disclosures
25 May 2012
This guidance is aimed at assisting organisations in determining the correct level of Police
Act Disclosure to apply for. For details, click here.
3. Updated Guidance on Foster Care, Kinship Care and
Adoption
17 May 2012
Disclosure Scotland has now published updated guidance on Foster Care, Kinship Care and
Adoption. Please click here for detail.
4.
Do you have a duty to refer?
27 March 2012
The PVG Act places a legal duty on organisations and personnel suppliers to make a referral
when certain criteria are met. Broadly speaking, the criteria are that: (a) an individual doing
regulated work has done something to harm a child or protected adult and (b) the impact is so
serious that the organisation has (or would) permanently remove the individual from
regulated work. It is a criminal offence not to refer an individual when the duty arises.
Making a referral is very important. Failure to refer an individual may mean that an
individual who is unsuitable to do regulated work does not get barred from doing that type of
work and can go on and harm other vulnerable people in other settings. If you think you
might need to make a referral, please read the PVG Guidance, Chapter 6.

Retrospective Checking Updates
16 May 2012
Disclosure Scotland regrets that it is still not in a position to announce a definite date for the
commencement of Retrospective Checking, although we hope to do so in the near future.
Before we announce this date, we wish to be confident that when the Retrospective Checking
process begins, the PVG system is fully capable of handling the anticipated additional
volumes, in addition to ongoing new membership applications. When we do decide the date,
we will allow, as part of the decision , time for organisations to prepare themselves for this
process.
Archived News
30 March 2012
Disclosure Scotland hopes to announce when retrospective checking will begin in the near
future. We will update customers as soon as possible.
5 March 2012
In my last update I advised that I would give a further update on 5th March 2012.
Unfortunately the testing of the system is still ongoing so I am still unable to give you a start
date for retrospective checking.
I will give you a further update as soon as I am in a position to do so, and certainly no later
than the end of March 2012.
Brian Gorman
Head of Disclosure Services
16 February 2012
In the letter issued to registered bodies in November 2011, I promised that I would update our
registered bodies via our website in February 2012 regarding the commencement of
retrospective checking for PVG.
The testing of the IT system to provide technical assurance on the scalability and resilience of
the solution to support the anticipated volume of retrospection cases is ongoing. We must
wait the outcome of these essential activities before any decisions can be made concerning
the commencement of retrospective checking. I can assure all of our users that I am working
with colleagues to ensure that the retrospective checking can be introduced as soon as
possible.
However, at this time, I cannot commit to a start date for retrospective checking, but I will be
updating this website on a regular basis to keep our registered bodies aware of the current
position. The next update to our website for the introduction of retrospective checking will be
during the week commencing the 5 March 2012.
I fully understand that this will not be good news for our registered bodies, but I can assure
you that I do understand your concerns and we are fully engaged in trying to get our database
on a robust footing to cope with the increase in PVG Scheme processing.
If you require any further information on PVG, or retrospective checking, please contact our
helpline on 0870 609 6006.
Brian Gorman
Head of Disclosure Services
Disclosure Scotland
Update on Police Act Standard and Enhanced
Disclosures for Unpaid Voluntary Work.

2 February 2012
Arrangements have been put in place to provide standard and enhanced disclosures at no cost
to volunteers in those cases where the organisation is providing a service to children and
protected adults in a health or care setting, but the nature of the volunteer's work is not
regulated work under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007.
Archived News
There are a number of different steps planned to allow voluntary organisations to be able to
access free standard and enhanced disclosures. When the PVG Scheme went live in February
2011, an unintended consequence of this was that those posts which were not eligible for
PVG Scheme membership, but were still relevant for an in depth check of criminal history
systems were now not entitled to do so at no cost. To resolve this, a three step plan has been
developed.
The first step is that the Central Registered Body in Scotland (“CRBS”) has been given
additional resources to be used to meet the cost of the standard and enhanced applications for
these voluntary organisations. To benefit from this change, voluntary organisations will have
to route the relevant applications via the CRBS. Although this might involve a change of
practice for some organisations, it will allow them to achieve the free checks sooner. CRBS
will have the responsibility for paying the fee for these applications.
Secondly, in spring of 2012, the Scottish Government plans to introduce regulations to amend
the Police Act (Criminal Records) (Scotland) Regulations 2010. The amendment will set a
fee of £0 for standard and enhanced applications from certain voluntary organisations. This
will use a definition, similar to that of qualifying voluntary organisations in the PVG Fees
Regulations, to detail the voluntary organisations eligible for this £0 fee. Subject to
Parliament agreeing this proposed change, the intention is that from the end of June 2012, the
amended regulations will be in place. The qualifying voluntary organisations would still have
to route their applications via CRBS, even when this change is made.
The third step, for a longer term solution, it is planned to amend the Police Act disclosure
application form and the Disclosure Scotland’s IT systems to cater for the £0 fee. Once that
work is completed, the qualifying voluntary organisations will not be required to route
applications via CRBS, they will be able to apply directly to Disclosure Scotland if they wish.
Actioning this third step will require some significant changes and it is not possible, at this
point in time, to give a firm date as to when it will be carried out. Voluntary organisations
and the CRBS will be kept up-to-date with progress throughout this process.

PVG Applications - Common Errors
1 February 2012
All fields highlighted in yellow on the form are mandatory and MUST be completed for
Parts A to D on all applications. If the form is being countersigned by a Registered
Body, all fields highlighted in yellow in Parts E/F are mandatory and MUST be
completed. If the form is being countersigned by a Personal Employer, all fields
highlighted in yellow in Parts G/H are mandatory and MUST be completed.
Countersignatories should check that the applicant has completed all mandatory fields,
prior to submitting the form to Disclosure Scotland, to avoid the form being returned.
Application to Join PVG Scheme
A1 - Organisations should request a Scheme Record. Scheme Membership Statements and
Scheme Membership Statements (Countersigned) are for use by individuals or by Personal
Employers (eg. an individual employing someone as a personal carer in their own home), and
do not contain any vetting information but simply confirm that the individual is not barred. If
an organisation receives a Scheme Membership Statement for an applicant because they have
Archived News
requested one in error, they will be required to pay the appropriate fee again in order to
receive a Scheme Record.
B13 -Mother’s Maiden or Family Name is frequently missed, but is a mandatory field and
must be completed.
D1 - Should only be marked “Yes” for voluntary positions with organisations who are
Qualifying Voluntary Organisations as per the PVG legislation. By crossing “Yes”, you are
confirming that you are entitled to a free PVG check. Organisations who are found to be
crossing “Yes” for positions which are not entitled to free checks are likely to be subject to
further action.
E2 - This should only be crossed “Yes” if the applicant will be working in their own home
(eg. childminder).
E5 - Organisations should provide clarity where the job title does not necessarily indicate
regulated work, to avoid delays in the application being processed while Disclosure Scotland
seek further information. For example, a "Driver" is not normally in regulated work, but a
school bus driver will be, therefore "Driver - School Contract" would be acceptable.
Similarly, if the position says "Driver", but both Children and Protected Adults checks have
been requested, clarity should be given as to what puts the driver into regulated work with
both workforces, such as “Driver – school and social work contracts”. Information provided
in E5/E6 will appear on the certificate, therefore organisations may wish to submit a job
description or provide further information on a covering letter instead.
Part E or Part G – Part E should only be completed by Registered Bodies who are
requesting a Scheme Record at A1. Part G should only be completed by a personal employer
who is requesting a Scheme Membership Statement (Countersigned) at A1.
Existing Scheme Member Applications
Countersignatories should check the applicant’s existing PVG certificate.
A1 – As per “A1” advice above, but with the following addition re Scheme Record Updates,
which are for use by organisations.
Scheme Record Updates can only be issued:
(a) if the applicant has previously been issued with a Scheme Record (as opposed to a
Scheme Membership Statement),
AND
(b) if the applicant is already a member of the workforce selected at A2 (ie children and/or
protected adults).
If the applicant only has a Scheme Membership Statement, or is only a member of, say, the
children's workforce but application is for regulated work with protected adults, the
organisation should still complete an Existing Member application but must request a Scheme
Record for the new workforce, at a cost of £59.
Archived News
A2 -This should reflect the position applied for, not the applicant’s existing membership, ie.
the applicant may already be a member of both the children’s and adults workforces, but if
the application is for a position doing regulated work with children only, you cannot request a
protected adults check.
A3 - This should only be crossed “Yes” if the applicant is already a member of the
workforce(s) selected at A2. Likewise it should only be crossed “No” if the applicant is not a
member of the workforce selected at A2 but is only a member of the other workforce.
B1 - Countersignatories should ensure the PVG Scheme ID number entered here is the PVG
Scheme Membership Number from the PVG certificate, and not the Disclosure Number.
They should also ensure the number is from a PVG certificate and not an old Enhanced
disclosure. The PVG Scheme ID is the PVG Membership Number on the certificate, on the
left hand side below date of birth.
D1 – as per “D1” advice above.
E1 – as per “E2” advice above.
E4 – as per “E5” advice above.
Part E or Part G – as per “Part E or Part G” advice above.
Police Act Disclosures (Basic, Standard, Enhanced)
A1 – If a Standard or Enhanced disclosure is requested, Part E must be completed by a
Registered Body.
E2/E3 – Enough information should be provided to demonstrate the legislative criteria for the
level of check being requested. For example, “Adult resident” is not sufficient information
for an Enhanced disclosure check, however “Adult resident in foster carer’s house” meets the
legislative criteria.
Part E - Countersignatories should ensure that the boxes crossed at E5-E8 reflect the level of
disclosure being requested at A1. For Basic Disclosures, E5-E8 should be “No”. For Standard
disclosures, E5 should be "Yes" and E6-E8 should be "No". For Enhanced disclosures, E5
and E6 should be "Yes", with E7 & E8 completed as appropriate.

PVG Applications - Common Errors
12 September 2011
All fields highlighted in yellow on the form are mandatory and MUST be completed.
Countersignatories should check that the applicant has completed all mandatory fields,
prior to submitting the form to Disclosure Scotland, to avoid the form being returned.
Existing Scheme Member Applications
Countersignatories should ensure the PVG Scheme Membership Number is taken from a
PVG certificate/Interim Certificate and not from an old Enhanced disclosure.
Scheme Record Updates can only be issued:
(a) if the applicant has previously been issued with a Scheme Record, AND
Archived News
(b) if the applicant is already a member of the workforce (ie children and/or protected adults)
being requested.
If the applicant has not previously had a Scheme Record, but only a Scheme Membership
Statement, organisations should still complete an Existing Member application but must
request a Scheme Record at a cost of £59.
If the applicant is only a member of, say, the children's workforce, and will now be doing
regulated work with protected adults, the organisation should still complete an Existing
Member application but must request a Scheme Record for the new workforce, at a cost of
£59.
We recommend that countersignatories view the applicant’s Scheme Record and compare the
date of issue on it to the information on the Scheme Record Update. The Scheme Record
Update will state the date of issue of the last (ie most recent) Scheme Record.
Police Act Disclosures
Countersignatories should ensure that the boxes crossed at E5-E8 reflect the level of
disclosure being requested at A1. For Basic Disclosures, E5-E8 should be “No”. For Standard
disclosures, E5 should be "Yes" and E6-E8 should be "No". For Enhanced disclosures, E5
and E6 should be "Yes", with E7 & E8 completed as appropriate.
Part A-Type of Application
Scheme Membership Statements and Scheme Membership Statements (Countersigned) do
not contain any vetting information. They are for use by individuals or by Personal
Employers (eg. an individual employing someone as a personal carer in their own home).
Organisations should request a Scheme Record (or Scheme Record Update). If an
organisation receives a Scheme Membership Statement for an applicant because they have
requested one in error, they will be required to pay the appropriate fee again in order to
receive a Scheme Record or Update.
Part D-Payment
D1 should only be marked “Yes” for voluntary positions with organisations who are
registered as Qualifying Voluntary Organisations with Disclosure Scotland/CRBS.
Part E-Role Details
E1 - Is the Applicant already undertaking regulated work in the position to which this
application relates? If the person is doing a similar role already, but is being
recruited/transferred into the post to which the application relates, the answer should be "No".
If the person has started in post pending receipt of the disclosure, the answer should still be
"No".
E5-Position Applied For. Organisations should provide clarity where the job title does not
necessarily indicate regulated work, to avoid delays in processing applications. Organisations
will be familiar with what their workers will be doing, however Disclosure Scotland will not
necessarily be aware of what qualifies a role for PVG or a particular workforce. For example,
"Driver". A driver is not normally in regulated work. However, if it is a school bus driver,
organisations should put something along the lines of "Driver - School Contract". Similarly,
if the position says "Driver", but both Children and Protected Adults checks have been
requested, clarity should be given as to what puts the driver into regulated work with both
workforces.

Interim PVG Scheme Records (Update)
13th July 2011
Archived News
As a number of customers will be aware, when the PVG Scheme went live, there were a
number of IT issues which affected the new Scheme. At that time, as a temporary measure,
Disclosure Scotland was issuing Interim Scheme Records. Full PVG Scheme Records are
now in the process of being issued, in a phased way, to those customers who received Interim
Scheme Records. Customers should receive these Full PVG Scheme Records by October.

Insufficient Postage on mailed Applications
10th June 2011
If there is insufficient postage on your mail to Disclosure Scotland, Royal Mail WILL NOT
deliver the items (letters/packets etc) to us. We cannot therefore be held accountable for mail
not received.
Royal Mail retains such mail for a period of up to six weeks before initiating their 'return to
sender' policy. It is recommended therefore that you endorse your envelope with sender
details, so that Royal Mail can return such mail direct to you. If you do not endorse the sender
details on the envelope, Royal Mail will open it in an effort to identify the sender.
If you contact us to enquire about the progress of your Disclosure Application and we have
no record of having received the items, you should contact Royal Mail to investigate.
Royal Mail Customer Services can be contacted on 08457 740 740
It is your responsibility, to ensure that the correct postage is paid on your item(s), taking into
account both Weight and Size of the package. Care should be taken in sending supporting
documentation (copies of Birth Certificates/Tax/Bank Statements etc). as failure to comply
with Royal Mail's charging policy could result in these not being received/lost.
The most common error is when a standard 1st class stamp is attached to a large A4
envelope, which is not sufficient.

Helpdesk Calls (0870 609 6006)
10th of June 2011
Please Note, all calls to Disclosure Scotland will be answered by our first line agent, who will
endeavour to assist with your enquiry at the outset. If this is not possible customers will be
transferred to the appropriate department for assistance.
Information for Registered Bodies
1st April 2011
Please Note: from 1 April 2011, all new registered bodies will pay an annual subscription for
registration. There will be minimum annual charge of £75 for registration and that will cover
the lead signatory and up to four countersignatories. Adding a new countersignatory during
the course of the subscription year will cost £15 each, irrespective of how many existing
countersignatories exist for the organisation. Removing a countersignatory or ending
registration will not incur a fee.
Changes to Address Based Searches
1st April 2011
From Friday, 1 April 2011, following agreement from Scottish Ministers, Disclosure
Scotland will be ending the routine use of address based searching, where Disclosure
Scotland approach relevant police forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in
connection with enhanced disclosure applications and PVG scheme membership. However
for identification purposes, Disclosure Scotland still require a 5 year address history from
applicants.
Archived News
This is not a reduction in the safeguarding process and does not increase the risk of harm to
the vulnerable as Disclosure Scotland will be able to check for information from a
computerised system now in use by the Police Forces in England, Wales and Northern
Ireland
The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and AccessNI have also concluded from their
individual reviews to discontinue these enquiries. The respective Government Ministers have
given their approval for stopping address based initiated enquiries. The CRB completely
ended the practice in February 2011 and AccessNI ceased address based checks on 1 April
2012.

PVG Application Forms
11th July 2011
PVG Application forms are now currently being dispatched within 4 days of
receipt of the request. We thank customers for their patience. This message
will be updated on a daily basis.

Latest Communication with Lead Signatories
1st March 2011
Disclosure Scotland recently (early February) wrote to Lead Signatories with PVG Scheme
information. Further to this communication, here are links to two new letters, issued to the
Registered Bodies who, on average, most used our services over the last three years.
Code of Practice and Compliance Matters
Retrospective Checking

New PVG Scheme Application Forms
24th of February 2011
Customers are advised that the new PVG Scheme Application Forms are NOT being
automatically distributed to organisations, but are being issued on request via the
Helpline (Tel: 0870 609 6006). Please also be aware that during the first year of
operation of the Scheme, it should be used for workers joining the regulated workforce
for the first time, and to those moving between jobs within regulated work.
Retrospective checking of the existing workforce is planned to commence on or around
February 2012. Information on this is currently been issued to a number of the
organisations that are the most frequent users our services.

Important Information - Price Increase

February 2011
Please be advised that the fee for all Police Act Disclosure applications will increase
from £23 to £25 on 28 February 2011 when the new PVG Scheme goes 'live'.
As a result all Police Act applications received by Disclosure Scotland on or after the
28th of February 2011 will be charged at £25.
Applications received prior to 28 February 2011 that are incorrectly completed, or require
further information and that are returned to you and resubmitted arriving on or after 28
February 2011 will be charged at £25. Any applications received with a cheque or postal
Archived News
order with the incorrect amount will be returned. Invoices will reflect the new costs on your
March Statements for applications received as per the arrangements mentioned above.
Online Basic applications made from 28 February 2011 will be charged at £25.
Those organisations who use the B2B method will from 28 February 2011 will be charged at
£25.
The Code of Practice

28th of February 2011
The Code of Practice has been revised for PVG go live and is now available here.
Communication with Lead Signatories

1st February 2011
As many of you will be aware the PVG Scheme will commence on 28 February 2011. In
preparation for this introduction, Disclosure Scotland has recently issued two documents to
lead signatories which provide information to assist organisations in their planning for the
new Scheme.
Please Note: Organisations that are already registered with Disclosure Scotland for
Standard and Enhanced Disclosures do not need to re-register for the
commencement of the PVG Scheme.
The documents issued cover:


the PVG Scheme Application Forms and Fees (for the PVG Scheme and changes to
the prices of Basic, Standard and Enhanced Applications), and
the Annual Subscription and Registration Process.
Each of the documents informs on the contact points if any further information is required on
any of the topics. Copies of the documents can be found here:




Covering Letter
Application Forms and Fees Letter
Annual Subscription and Registration Process Letter
Police Act Disclosure Applications
17th May 2011
Applicants for Police Act BASIC, STANDARD AND ENHANCED disclosures, please
note that paper applications should still be submitted on old-style application forms
(00205). Customers will be advised via the website when the old-style applications
forms will be withdrawn from use.

New PVG Scheme Application Forms
24th of February 2011
Customers are advised that the new PVG Scheme Application Forms are NOT being
automatically distributed to organisations, but are being issued on request via the Helpline.
Please also be aware that during the first year of operation of the Scheme, it should be used
for workers joining the regulated workforce for the first time, and to those moving between
Archived News
jobs within regulated work. Retrospective checking of the existing workforce is planned to
commence in March 2012. Information on this is currently been issued to a number of the
organisations that are the most frequent users of our services.

Important Information - Price Increase
February 2011
Please be advised that the fee for all Police Act Disclosure applications will increase
from £23 to £25 on 28 February 2011 when the new PVG Scheme goes 'live'.
As a result all Police Act applications received by Disclosure Scotland on or after the
28th of February 2011 will be charged at £25.
Applications received prior to 28 February 2011 that are incorrectly completed, or require
further information and that are returned to you and resubmitted arriving on or after 28
February 2011 will be charged at £25. Any applications received with a cheque or postal
order with the incorrect amount will be returned. Invoices will reflect the new costs on your
March Statements for applications received as per the arrangements mentioned above.
Online Basic applications made from 28 February 2011 will be charged at £25.
Those organisations who use the B2B method will from 28 February 2011 will be charged at
£25.

Minister Announces PVG Scheme Start Date
12th January 2011
The PVG Scheme is to go live on 28 February 2011, Children's Minister, Adam Ingram
announced today (12th January 2011).
The scheme had been due to commence at the end of November 2010 but Ministers took the
decision to postpone its introduction to ensure the new IT system which supports it is fully fit
for purpose and robust.
Mr. Ingram said:
"I have been assured by the PVG Scheme Programme Board that the system's development is
now on track and have agreed that the scheme will commence on 28 February 2011 delivering increased protection, alongside efficiency savings and less bureaucracy."
The new PVG Scheme application forms will be available for Registered Bodies to request in
February and they will be kept up to date with progress.
Details of full release here.

Minister announces delay in commencement of PVG Scheme
3rd of November 2010
33rd3rd of November 2010
Scottish Ministers have today (Wednesday, the 3rd of November) announced a delay to the
commencement of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme, which had been due to
start on 30 November 2010.
Archived News
The delay results from some challenges in the delivery of the IT system, following the last
round of testing, which have now largely been resolved, but we still require time to complete
the final elements and tests of the system.
The PVG Scheme is now scheduled to commence in February 2011 This delay in no way
undermines the Scottish Government’s commitment to the implementation of the PVG
Scheme which will both improve protection for vulnerable groups and reduce bureaucracy.
In the meantime, the current service in terms of Part V of the Police Act 1997 for people who
work with vulnerable groups will continue until the new go live date of February 2011. To
access Disclosure Scotland's services, you should continue to use the existing application
forms as before. If you require more of these forms, please contact Disclosure Scotland as
you normally would.

· Scottish Ministers are wholly committed to implementation of the PVG Scheme
which will strengthen protection for vulnerable groups and make the disclosure
service quick and easy to use for people who work with children and protected adults.

· A sophisticated and resilient IT system has been developed to host the PVG Scheme.
Its development has included rigorous testing to ensure that it is fit for purpose and
robust. During recent tests some technical problems emerged, which although now
largely resolved have resulted in delays to the programme overall. Mindful of the
importance of a safe, secure and efficient IT system to the PVG scheme, Ministers
have therefore asked that extra time be taken to refine and further test the IT system
before go live. To allow time for this additional work, the PVG Scheme is expected to
go live during February 2011 and the exact date will be announced by the end of
2010.

· Scottish Ministers have taken this decision following detailed consideration of
progress with the IT system and PVG implementation overall. The IT system that will
support the PVG Scheme is a major and complex development and ongoing technical
adjustments are always required on projects of this nature. While it is regrettable that
the PVG Scheme cannot go live on 30 November, it is more important that the system
is fit for purpose so that it is resilient, secure and efficient and delivers the best
possible service for those who will interact with it.

· There is no connection between postponement of the PVG Scheme launch and the
review of the Vetting and Barring Scheme covering the rest of the UK. The Scottish
Government is proceeding with implementation of the PVG Scheme which delivers
what Scottish stakeholder asked for - increased protection, efficiency savings and less
bureaucracy.

· All of the information, training and guidance which is available from Disclosure
Scotland and the Central Registered Body in Scotland remains relevant and employers
should continue to familiarise themselves with this material to help them interact with
the PVG Scheme after it goes live
Absolute Discharge
5th January 2010
All criminal information which has a disposal of Absolute Discharge will now be issued as
conviction information under the requirements of the Police Act 1997. This means that all
Archived News
cases disposed of at court by the issue of an Absolute Discharge Disposal will now be
disclosed on all Enhanced and Standard Disclosure Certificates and will be disclosed on
Basic Disclosure Certificates if the case remains unspent in terms of the Rehabilitation of
Offenders Act 1974 at the time of the disclosure. This information will be disclosed
irrespective of whether or not it was previously withheld from any previously issued
Disclosure Certificate. This change to the Disclosure Scotland process has been necessary to
ensure that all absolute discharge disposals are treated as convictions as per the requirements
of the Police Act 1997.
Overseas Applications and Posting of Certificates.
Please be aware that the £25.00 cost of a Disclosure includes the cost of First Class Postage
within the United Kingdom. The need to supply application forms, or indeed Disclosure
Certificates, outside of the UK was not envisaged, and is not reflected, in the overall cost of a
Disclosure.
We currently have no agreement to send items outwith the UK.
Therefore any non-UK mail is sent via Surface Mail, not Airmail, and may take time to reach
their destination. The customer can nominate, in writing, an alternative UK postal address
which they would like the forms/certificate to be sent to, when they submit an application.’
Overseas Applications, Reprints Please note that from the 5th January 2010, the timescale
for overseas applications for reprinted disclosure certificates will change from the current 10
days to 21 days.
Royal Mail introduce new charges
1st April 2010
Please be aware that new prices for Royal Mail products and services come into effect on
Tuesday 6th April 2010. The website on this recent notification is
www.royalmail.com/prices2010 contact number 08457 950950.
If there is insufficient postage on your mail to Disclosure Scotland, Royal Mail WILL NOT
deliver the items (letters/packets etc) to us. We cannot therefore be held accountable for mail
not received.
Royal Mail will retain them for a period of up to six weeks before initiating their 'return to
sender' policy. It is recommended therefore that you endorse the envelope with sender details
so that Royal Mail can return such mail direct to you.
If you do not endorse the sender details on the envelope, Royal Mail will open it in an effort
to identify the sender.
If you contact us to enquire about the progress of your Disclosure Application and we have
no record of having received the items, you should contact Royal Mail to investigate. Royal
Mail Customer Services can be contacted on 08457 740 740
It is your responsibility therefore, to ensure that the correct postage is paid on your item(s),
taking into account both Weight and Size of the package.
Care should be taken in sending supporting documentation (copies of Birth
Certificates/Tax/Bank Statements etc). as failure to comply with Royal Mail's charging policy
could result in these being lost.
The most common error is when a standard 1st class stamp is attached to a large A4
envelope, which is not sufficient.

Customer Survey
29th March 2010
Archived News
Disclosure Scotland will be carrying out its biannual customer satisfaction telephone survey
in April. The purpose of the survey is to gather information about customer's perceptions of,
and level of satisfaction with, services provided by us.
The survey will be carried out, on our behalf, by George Street Research. The survey will be
a statistically random sample of individuals who are responsible for making applications to
Disclosure Scotland on behalf of a registered body. This is an opportunity for our customers
to voice their opinions about Disclosure Scotland, our service and to help us make
improvements.
The survey is not compulsory and anyone contacted by George Street Research can decline to
take part.
The only information provided to George Street Research by Disclosure Scotland about the
Registered Body is their name, business address and contact telephone number. This is in line
with the our Privacy and Data Protection Policies.
Credit Card Payment Changes
5th March 2010
From 5th March 2010, Disclosure Scotland has implemented the credit card industry security
standard, “3D-Secure” as part of the payment processing functionality for Basic Disclosures
On-Line. “3-D Secure” is a security feature which ensures that payments using certain credit
and debit cards are authenticated by the card holder with their bank at the time of the
transaction.
If you have previously registered your card for "3-D Secure" you will be required to provide
your "3D Secure" password as part of the on-line payment process.
If your bank or card provider supports the scheme, but you have not registered your card, you
will be asked to do so as part of the on-line payment process.

Extra protection for vulnerable groups
10th of November 2009
Children’s Minister unveils new checks scheme for people working with children and
vulnerable adults.
A new scheme that will better safeguard vulnerable groups and end the need for people to
complete detailed application forms every time a disclosure check is required was announced
today.
The scheme will:
- Improve on current disclosure arrangements by replacing the need for multiple ‘one-off’
checks – which currently cost £23 a time – with a system that continually updates relevant
information.
- Ensure that people who become unsuitable during their employment are quickly identified.
- Allow employers to check records quickly and easily while reducing the time and cost
demands on individuals when their circumstances change.
Archived News
A consultation on key elements of the secondary legislation required to implement the
Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme was launched today. It is expected the scheme
will be introduced before the end of 2010, with implementation being phased in to minimise
the administrative burden on individual organisations.
Initial membership will cost £59 with a lower fee of £18 for subsequent records updates substantially less than in England and less than the existing cost of an enhanced disclosure
check and these will be turned around almost instantly.
All PVG Scheme Record Disclosures and Updates will continue to be free for volunteers
working in regulated work in the voluntary sector.
Minister for Children and Early Years Adam Ingram said:
“Tragedies such as the Soham murders bring into focus the need to safeguard vulnerable
people from the small number of unscrupulous individuals who betray the trust we place in
them.
“These reforms will strengthen our ongoing work to support vulnerable children and adults
by ensuring those who are unsuitable are not given positions of responsibility while those
against whom concerns are raised are detected earlier and are prevented from continuing to
work with them. These reforms will produce a more robust but equally a more streamlined
system that strikes the right balance between protecting those who need it without hindering
those looking to help.”

New Corporate Plan Launched
2nd of November 2009
Disclosure Scotland has published it's first Corporate Plan. It is one of the requirements of
Agency status and is part of Disclosure Scotland’s reporting to stakeholders.
The Corporate Plan highlights in more detail the main considerations, the performance of
Disclosure Scotland and the changes that Disclosure Scotland is making as an organisation. It
also sets out the relationship between those key changes and the National Outcomes of the
Scottish Government to which it contributes.
To see a copy of the plan, click here.

Royal Mail Industrial Action
19th of October 2009
There is industrial action involving Royal Mail staff at the moment. This may have an impact
on mail delivery and pick up at Disclosure Scotland. Disclosure Scotland will do all it can to
minimise any delays but ultimately mailing services will depend on the outcome of the
negotiations
Archived News
Customers should contact us to see if we have received their application, prior to any reapplying. Please note that if customers re-apply, the same situation could occur and create
additional applications, which, if they are processed, they would be charged for.

Framework Document 2009
20th August 2009
On Thursday the 20th of August, Disclosure Scotland published its Framework Document.
The Framework Document sets out the vision and objectives of Disclosure Scotland and
outlines the relationships between Ministers, the Chief Executive of Disclosure Scotland, and
the Director General Education within the Scottish Government. It describes Disclosure
Scotland’s financial and wider accountabilities, and its approach to staffing and other
organisational matters. In short, it sets the broad basis on which Disclosure Scotland will
operate.


______________________________________________
Important Information - Price Increase
6th July 2009
Please be advised that Scottish Ministers have laid a Scottish Statutory Instrument (SSI) that
means that the fee for a Disclosure application will increase from £20 to £23 on 1 August
2009 when the SSI comes into force.
As a result all Disclosure Scotland applications received on or after 1 August 2009 will
be charged at £23.
Applications received prior to 1 August 2009 that are incorrectly completed, or require
further information and that are returned to you and resubmitted arriving on or after 1 August
2009 will be charged at £23. Any applications received with a cheque or postal order with the
incorrect amount will be returned. Invoices will reflect the new costs on your August
Statements for applications received as per the arrangements mentioned above.
Online Basic applications made from 1 August 2009 will be charged at £23.
Those organisations who use the B2B method will from the 1 August 2009 be charged at £23.
This is only the second increase since the Disclosure Scotland service was introduced in April
2002. It will contribute to increases in Disclosure Scotland’s running costs. Disclosure
applications for volunteers working in the voluntary sector with children or adults at risk will
still be provided at no costs to the individual or the voluntary organisation concerned.

Update on Rehabilitation of Offenders Act
31st July 2009
The Scottish Ministers have introduced an Order which contains to amend the Rehabilitation
of Offenders Act 1974 (Exclusions and Exceptions) (Scotland) Order 2003 to add
employment or work concerned with the provision of “social care services” on a one-to-one
basis for adults at risk to the 2003 Order.
The Amendment Order has been approved by the Parliament, and when the ROA Order is
read with the Police Act Regulations, it will mean that certain individuals undertaking paid or
unpaid work which is classed as a “social care service” will be eligible for enhanced
Archived News
disclosures.
For details of the relevant legislation, please click on the link below:
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/ssi2009/pdf/ssi_20090271_en.pdf

New regulations affecting disclosure checks
4th June 2009
Pending parliamentary procedure, new regulations affecting disclosure checks are expected to
come into force on 29 June.
Following audit compliance work by Disclosure Scotland, it came to light that some positions
fall outwith the criteria to access enhanced disclosure checks as set out in current legislation.
The problem stemmed from having no defined meaning of a “social care service” for persons
working with adults at risk. Some examples of the positions affected include providing
advocacy support services, befriending, social inclusion-type support, homelessness, and
where services are provided due to age or condition i.e. due to disability, health or age-related
circumstances.
The intention remains that eligibility for the higher levels of disclosure check should be
proportionate in relation to the work to be undertaken. Scottish Ministers have therefore
expedited a legislative solution that would act as a bridge between the current legislation and
the introduction of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007.
The effect of these changes will be to ensure that organisations providing “social care
services” which involve staff (paid or voluntary) in positions having unsupervised one-to-one
contact with an “adult at risk” as part of their normal duties can legitimately seek an
enhanced disclosure.
The draft Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exclusions and Exceptions) (Scotland)
Amendment Order 2009 can be accessed at:
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/dssi26-05
Further information will be provided in due course.

Important Information - Potential Price Increase
30th March 2009
Subject to the approval of the Scottish Parliament, the fee for all levels of Disclosure
Applications is expected to rise, by £3, to £23, on the 1st of August 2009.
Disclosure Scotland’s fees last increased in 2006, since when it has been possible to absorb
inflationary costs and develop our infrastructure to meet the rising demand for disclosures.
The increase is driven entirely by external pressures and we have, regrettably, had to make
this decision in order to continue providing our accurate and quality service.
A Parliamentary Question announcing the proposal to bring about the fee increase was
answered on 31st of March 2009. Subject to Parliamentary approval, further information on
the fee increase and the actions you will need to take will follow. Disclosure fees for
volunteers working in the voluntary sector will continue to be available free of charge.

New Chief Executive Starts
30th March 2009
Disclosure Scotland welcomed its new Chief Executive, David Patel, this week (w/c 30th
March 2009). Until recently, David was the Head of Bus, Road Safety and Local Roads
Policy Division at the Scottish Government's Transport Directorate. David is an economist to
Archived News
trade; he joined the Government Economic Service in 1990, with the Department of
Employment. He then moved to the Scottish Office, which included secondments to the
European Commission and to Glasgow Housing Association. David has had a variety of
posts, including in the Scottish Office Industry Department, in Agriculture, and with the
Chief Economist’s office and the Policy Unit. His took up a senior civil service role in 2003,
dealing amongst other things with analysis for the spending review and the local government
settlement. Before taking up his post as the Chief Executive at Disclosure Scotland, David's
last role at Transport involved bus and concessionary fares policy, a road safety strategy for
Scotland, and removal of tolls at the Forth and Tay Road Bridges.

Royal Mail Charges
30th March 2009
Please be aware that due to significant changes introduced by Royal Mail, increased charges
apply to both SIZE and WEIGHT of the envelopes/items you send. These changes take effect
from the 6th of April 2009.
If there is insufficient postage on your mail to Disclosure Scotland, Royal Mail WILL NOT
deliver the items (letters/packets etc) to us. We cannot therefore be held accountable for mail
not received.
Royal Mail will retain them for a period of up to six weeks before initiating their 'return to
sender' policy. It is recommended therefore that you endorse the envelope with sender details
so that Royal Mail can return such mail direct to you.
If you do not endorse the sender details on the envelope, Royal Mail will open it in an effort
to identify the sender.
If you contact us to enquire about the progress of your Disclosure Application and we have
no record of having received the items, you should contact Royal Mail to investigate. Royal
Mail Customer Services can be contacted on 08457 740 740
It is your responsibility therefore, to ensure that the correct postage is paid on your item(s),
taking into account both Weight and Size of the package.
Care should be taken in sending supporting documentation (copies of Birth
Certificates/Tax/Bank Statements etc). as failure to comply with Royal Mail's charging policy
could result in these being lost.
The most common error is when a standard 1st class stamp is attached to a large A4
envelope, which is not sufficient. An envelope of this size requires at least a 61p stamp
(prices as of 06 April 2009) depending on the weight of the items.
Postal Charge information can be found on
http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/jump2?catId=400023&mediaId=11200122

Important - Changes to Basic Disclosure Process - Confirmation of
birth details
This change applies to applications received on/after 19 January 2009.
Please note that if you are applying for a Basic Disclosure, when returning the completed
form to Disclosure Scotland you should provide copies of 3 forms of identification,
including:

A COPY of a utility bill or similar, confirming your current address detail
Archived News

A COPY of an official document e.g. birth certificate, passport or driving licence,
which confirms your Date of Birth details.