Q: What are
the benefits of the new scheme?
For the first time there will be two lists – one for people
unsuitable to work with children and young people and another for people unsuitable to work with protected adults.Those
who become unsuitable will be quickly removed from working with children and protected adults.Regulated work will
include specific activities, establishments, positions and particular supervisory/managerial roles.Instead of filling
out multiple disclosure forms when moving to a new role or organisation individuals will apply to become a 'Scheme Member'
(it is proposed that membership will last for ten years). This membership will effectively act as a 'passport' when
moving to a different role or organisation.This 'passporting' should make the checking of staff/potential
staff/volunteers who are scheme members quicker and easier (the checking will be done online).Information from a
number of sources will be continually fed into the scheme, making it more proactive. The scheme will dovetail with arrangements
in the rest of the UK to ensure that cross-border loopholes which could be exploited do not develop.A new Central
Barring Unit will make decisions on barred status, and if an individual is barred will inform the appropriate organisations
of this decision.Organisations will still have a duty to refer individuals to Scottish Ministers
where grounds for referral have been met.
Q:
Why was PVG introduced?
The Bichard Inquiry, undertaken following the tragic Soham murders in 2002, called
for a registration system for all those who work with children and protected adults.
The vetting and barring scheme delivers
this recommendation, ensuring that those who have a history of behaviour which indicates they are unsuitable to work with
children or protected adults are prevented from doing so.
Q:
Will staff and volunteers who are already disclosure checked have to join the scheme?
Yes. The Scottish
Government is currently considering the best way for organisations to roll out retrospective checking.
Q: What will it cost to join the scheme?
It is likely that checks
on volunteers will continue to be provided free of charge. Costs for staff checks – and the various levels of checks
– have not been finalised. The Scottish Government will propose fees and consult on these at a later date.
Q: What does my organisation have to do to comply with
PVG?
The timescale for the scheme going live is late 2010, so the best thing you can do now is become
familiar with the basics of PVG and to think about how your organisation recruits and selects staff and volunteers suitable
to work with children and young people.
You can find out more and keep up-to-date with any changes by checking their
website www.scotland.gov.uk/pvglegislation
