Government seeks to cut bureaucracy round child protection
7 Oct 08
Proposals aim to cut out multiple or unnecessary disclosure checks
The Scottish Government has announced new proposals to better safeguard vulnerable groups and end the 'needless bureaucracy' which can deter volunteers from helping Scotland's children.
The plans are intended to ensure that people who come into regular contact with vulnerable groups through their work do not have a history of abusive behaviour, while also putting an end to multiple disclosure checks.
The reform plans, produced following a detailed consultation on the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Act earlier this year, include:
- making sure that those who have minimal contact with children – such as a plumber or delivery driver visiting a school – do not have to undergo disclosure checks;
- a new PVG membership scheme for people working with children and protected adults, which will end the need for costly multiple disclosure applications every time their circumstances change, and create automatic updates to employers if they become unsuitable;
- clearer guidance for employers to help inform their decisions on which positions should become part of the scheme.
The new PVG scheme, to be phased in over four years so that those working with vulnerable groups have time to comply, will create a list of people barred from working with children, replacing the existing Disqualified from Working with Children List.
Extension for protected adults
For the first time in Scotland, a list of people barred from working with protected adults will also be created to give those using health, welfare or care services the confidence of knowing that the people who care from them do not have a history of unsuitable behaviour.
The proposals will be introduced through secondary legislation in the Scottish Parliament next year. A date for the PVG scheme to go live is still to be decided.
The scheme will exclude people who are known to be unsuitable, on the basis of past behaviour, from working with children and/or protected adults and detect those who become unsuitable while in the workplace.
Children's Minister Adam Ingram said: "We must ensure when we drop our children off at school or when a family member requires health or welfare services they are not left in the care of someone who has a history of harmful behaviour.
"At the same time, we're committed to giving our young people the chance of rich and varied experiences and know how important volunteers and helpers are to local clubs and youth groups.
"Having fun and learning new skills is central to young people's development and there is no point in unnecessary red tape putting off those who genuinely want to help our children. That's why our plans signal an end to the toilsome system of multiple disclosure applications.”