Disclosure Scotland

Disclosure Checks:

  • Who needs a disclosure?
  • Why do they need one?
  • Where to get one?
  • What type of disclosure do they need?
  • When is it required?
  • How to get one

Absolute Disclosure is all about helping our clients by enabling their disclosure checks through Disclosure Scotland.

We are a small business which was established in 2010. We are vetted, registered and regulated by Disclosure Scotland. We use our skills and expertise to make sure your business complies with current legislation and meets all disclosure requirements.

As former police officers our skills, integrity and reliability are ideally suited to this type of work. We are based in Lanarkshire however we can provide services to clients anywhere in the United Kingdom.


The Disclosure Process

How it Works:

The process is undertaken by Disclosure Scotland, which is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government providing services to the public on behalf of Scottish Ministers.

A critical element and legal requirement of the disclosure process involves validating the information and identities of those applying for a disclosure.

In the case of large companies and organisations this is usually undertaken in-house using Personnel or HR Department staff who have been vetted by Disclosure Scotland and are registered as authorised signatories for this specific purpose.

In the case of smaller businesses or individuals, this task is undertaken by an Umbrella Body registered and regulated by Disclosure Scotland. Their signatories are also vetted for this purpose.

Barnsley & Barnsley is on the list of Umbrella Bodies featured on Disclosure Scotland’s website. We provide disclosure services for a range of individuals and companies across the United Kingdom.

We can meet all requirements. We ensure that applicants are eligible to apply for the role they are undertaking. We check each application is free of errors and satisfy the identity criteria required by Disclosure Scotland. This attention to detail ensures a ‘right first time’ process, eliminates unnecessary delays and reduces the time taken to process the application.

The current Disclosure Scotland turnaround time for applications is less than 21 days, provided there are no issues.

Not everyone understands the legislation and Barnsley & Barnsley can clarify any question you may have. If you are not sure what type of disclosure is required or you don’t know how to get one, our advice is free and we can be contacted by email or using the contact number provided.

 


Types of Disclosure

PVG Scheme:

The Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 (PVG) was designed to give statutory protection from harm to children and protected adults, when they are in the care or responsibility of an organisation.

The Act introduced the ‘PVG Scheme’, which is administered by Disclosure Scotland as an executive agency of the Scottish Government. Scheme membership ensures that those who either have regular contact with vulnerable groups through the workplace, or who are otherwise in regulated work, do not have a history of inappropriate behaviour.

The Scheme excludes people who are known to be unsuitable, on the basis of their past behaviour, from working with children and/or protected adults and because it is constantly monitored, detects those who become unsuitable.
Who does it apply to?

The scheme applies to staff undertaking the following types of work which are classed as Regulated Work under the Act:

  • Caring for children or protected adults
  • Teaching, Instructing, training or supervising children or protected adults
  • Being in sole charge of children or protected adults
  • Unsupervised contact with children
  • Provide advice or guidance which relates to physical or emotional well-being, education or training of children or protected adults
  • Moderating a public electronic interactive communication service which is intended for or mainly used by children
  • Providing or working for an organisation which provides a care home service which is provided exclusively or mainly for children
  • Providing, or working with an organisation which provides an independent health care service which is provided exclusively or mainly for children
  • Work on any part of a day care premises where children are being looked after
  • Being a host parent
  • Inspecting adult care services

 


Basic Disclosure

Individuals can apply for a Basic Disclosure, for any purpose.

A Basic disclosure check is the most frequent route to obtain criminality information about a candidate. A basic disclosure contains only convictions considered unspent under The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Spent convictions enable some criminal convictions to be ignored after a rehabilitation period. Its purpose is that people do not have a lifelong blot on their records because of a relatively minor offence in their past.

Individuals can apply for a Basic Disclosure, for any purpose.

 

Standard Disclosure:

A standard disclosure as with a basic disclosure provides criminality information about a candidate. In addition to unspent convictions the information includes “spent” convictions cautions and Sex Offenders Notification Requirements.

Depending on the role which is being carried out, you may have to apply for a Standard Disclosure on behalf on a new employee or volunteer.

  • Certain licences issued under the Private Security Industry Act 2001
  • Driving instruction licences issued under the Road Traffic Act 1988.Inclusion in the register of approved driving instructors
  • Certain financial services posts.
  • Landlords
  • Accountant
  • Veterinary Surgeon
  • Actuary
  • Precognition agents
  • Work in a care service that is not regulated work as defined in the PVG Act
  • Work in a health service that is not work as defined in the PVG Act
  • Work in the Scottish Society Prevention of Cruelty to animals that involves killing animals
  • Internet monitoring for child protection purposes
  • Scottish Social Services Council staff
  • Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland staff.
  • General Teaching Council Scotland staff
  • Firearms dealer
  • Explosives Regulations occupations

 

Enhanced Disclosure:

An Enhanced Disclosure contains all unspent conviction information, including unspent cautions and relevant spent convictions, and any other non-conviction information reasonably believed to be relevant by the police or other Government bodies.

An Enhanced Disclosure application can only be completed in paper format and must be countersigned by an organisation authorised by Disclosure Scotland, known as a Registered Body.

If the position relates to children and/or Protected Adults, it will also include any Prescribed Court Order & Sex Offender Notification Requirements, Suitability Information and their regulated work Barred and Consideration Status.

Some examples of the positions entitled to an Enhanced Certificate include an adult residing in the same house as a Foster Carer, or a person working within the precincts of a prison.

A certificate is provided to both the applicant and the Registered Body. 


Acceptable Identity Documents

The process requires 3 types of identification which must confirm details in respect of your name, date of birth and current address.

Documents used for identification purposes:

  • Passport (current or expired)
  • Photographic Driving Licence
  • National Insurance Number
  • National Identity Card
  • National Entitlement Card
  • Previous Disclosure
  • Birth Certificate (full or short)

Documents used as proof of address

  • Employer’s address if your Disclosure is to be sent there
  • Credit or debit card
  • Marriage certificate/Civil Partnership Certificate
  • P45/P60 statement
  • Utility bill (electricity, gas, water, telephone – including mobile phone contract/bill)
  • Valid TV licence
  • Credit card statement
  • Store card statement
  • Mortgage statement
  • Valid insurance certificate
  • Certificate of British nationality British work permit/visa
  • Asylum Registration Card.
  • Bank or Building Society Document
  • Financial statement e.g. pension, endowment, ISA
  • Valid vehicle registration document
  • Mail order catalogue statement
  • Court summons
  • Valid NHS card
  • Addressed pay slip
  • Child benefit book

Please Note:

  • Proof of address documentation must be less than 3 months old.
  • Please do not send original documents, images of these documents can be sent by email or post.
  • Any delays in providing your supporting Identification documents may prevent us from processing your application.
  • Barnsley & Barnsley are registered under the Data Protection Act 1998 therefore the security of your identification documents is assured.

 


Costs:

Disclosure Scotland standard fees:

Standard Disclosure – £25

Enhanced Disclosure – £25

PVG – New Member – £59

PVG – Exisiting Member Record Update – £18


Barnsley & Barnsley Countersignature:

9 or less applications – £20 per application

10 or more applications – £15 per application

Barnsley & Barnsley have an invoicing account with Disclosure Scotland and will pay all fees. The client will thereafter be invoiced for all relevant costs.

Further information regarding Disclosure Scotland checks can be found at – http://www.disclosurescotland.co.uk/