When running a business in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, a series of background checks are needed in most instances. However, the types of reviews can depend on the type of the role being applied for and the location of the position.
If your business is based in Scotland and involves working with vulnerable people, the following checks will be needed.
Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme
The Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme is designed for those doing regulated work with children and vulnerable adults. It aims to ensure those carrying out work with children and adults do not have a history of causing harm to others.
If a person part of the scheme receives a conviction, membership to the scheme will be revoked.
What Jobs Does the PVG Scheme Cover?
Given the importance of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, the PVG Scheme can cover a variety of roles that involve caring, teaching, providing personal services or working directly with children or vulnerable adults, including the following.
- Dentists
- Teachers
- Volunteers
- Carers
- Nurses
Even if the role does not fall within the requirements of the PVG Scheme, other background screening can be carried out.
What Other Disclosures are Available?
As the PVG Scheme is designed for children and vulnerable adults, not every job will be eligible for the certificate. However, this doesn’t mean that employers have no options available in Scotland. There are three levels of disclosure available, which are as follows.
Basic Disclosure
A Basic Disclosure details unspent convictions and can be requested by individuals, businesses and organisations. Basic disclosures show the least information regarding background checks, so they are often used for day-to-day roles. A basic disclosure shows employers in Scotland details of spent convictions.
Standard Disclosure
A Standard Disclosure can only be requested by businesses and organisations in Scotland, and will show information regarding spent and unspent convictions, plus any information held on the Sex Offenders Register.
Enhanced Disclosure
As with Standard Disclosures, an Enhanced Disclosure can only be requested by businesses. In addition to the information shown on a Standard Disclosure, an Enhanced certificate can also include a check of the Children’s and Adults Barred List.
How to Request a Disclosure in Scotland
There are several ways of requesting a disclosure in Scotland, including via post and telephone. However, those wanting a completed disclosure as soon as possible should make a request online, as this allows for the fastest processing time.
Businesses and organisations can also enlist the services of a professional that carries out disclosure requests and provides same-day results and real-time tracking of certificates. Whether you require one background check or several, outsourcing the task allows a business to better manage its background checks.
