Update on changes for Disclosure Scotland checks when registering with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)
Why this decision has been made?
At the moment employers undertake Disclosure Scotland checks when they first employ a member of staff as this helps determine if they are suitable to work in social services. So all applicants are already subject to a Disclosure Scotland check before applying for registration with the SSSC.When will the SSSC still require a Disclosure Scotland check?
The SSSC will still require Disclosure Scotland checks for social work students, self-employed social workers and unemployed social workers, but will pay the costs of checks for social work students and unemployed social workers. Self-employed social workers must pay for their Disclosure Scotland checks when they are applying to register or renewing their registration with the SSSC.The SSSC can still require an applicant for registration to undergo a criminal records check if needed. This may be where an applicant for registration has not previously worked in the UK. They will still need to provide evidence of suitability for registration equivalent to a criminal records check.
Next step
From 1 October 2009 employers need to confirm they have a Disclosure Scotland check for the applicant in relation to the post the member of staff is seeking registration for and employers will need to provide the dates and unique reference numbers of the disclosure to the SSSC. If an employer is unable to provide this information the applicant or employer will need to pay for a new Disclosure Scotland check.Once the new Vetting and Barring Scheme is in place, each applicant for registration will need to provide evidence of membership to the new scheme by providing their unique scheme membership number.
New fee
Disclosure Scotland has now increased the fee for all levels of Disclosure applications by £3 to £23 from 1 August 2009.For further information visit: www.disclosurescotland.co.uk or for more details on the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme visit: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/Young-People/children-families/pvglegislation
