Criminal records disclosure policy (Scotland)

It’s for all employees and volunteers in Scotland.

For England, Wales and Northern Ireland, see:

Criminal records disclosure policy for England and Wales

Criminal records disclosure policy for Northern Ireland

• A person who is barred from working or is unsuitable to work with children or vulnerable adults will be breaking the law if they work or volunteer, or try to work or volunteer with these groups.
• It is also illegal to employ anyone who has been barred or is unsuitable, so we undertake a vetting and barring check to make sure that everyone we employ or who volunteers with us doesn’t pose a risk.
• Scotland introduced its own vetting and barring service called the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme.
• There are a number of disclosure checks available including basic disclosure, standard disclosure, enhanced disclosure and three levels of PVG scheme membership.
• Some checks are only available to people in particular roles described as ‘regulated work’.

Line managers/recruiting managers are responsible for deciding the required the level of disclosure check and ensuring the checks are carried out in accordance with this policy; seeking advice from the local people team (LPT) on any aspect of the policy where needed.

Local people teams/recruitment team/volunteer advisors are responsible for the administration of the disclosure checking process and supporting managers to ensure required checks are carried out in accordance with this policy; and when it is necessary, LPTs to make a referral to the relevant regulatory bodies.

Corporate people team, Policy & Advice are responsible for endeavouring to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory obligations; and keeping up-to-date with any Disclosure Scotland policy or procedural changes and updating this policy, and other associated forms or processes accordingly.

Please also see the policy on 'Storage, Handling, Retention and Disposal Policy (Scotland)'. This policy ensures that we abide by the obligations of Disclosure Scotland and the relevant laws for storing and handling criminal record disclosures.