Disclosure Scotland Checks
Disclosure Scotland provides employers with the tools to make informed recruitment and safeguarding decisions. Working within public sector recruitment, we rely on Disclosure and Barring Service checks to onboard our candidates and ensure they meet the required security standards of our clients.
What is a Disclosure Scotland check?
It is a government check that shares information regarding criminal records of people applying for work, volunteering, or adopting children. The check is used to determine a candidate’s suitability for the position they are applying for.
Different Types of Disclosure Scotland Certificates.
There are four different types of Disclosure Scotland checks which all provide a different level of vetting.
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Basic Disclosure Scotland: It is the lowest level of the check and includes any unspent convictions a candidate may have. It is the most common level of Disclosure Scotland we ask for and forms a key component of BPSS applications.
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Standard Disclosure Scotland: It includes spent and unspent convictions and any relevant police information. This higher level of check is required by a small number of public bodies across Scotland. Level 2 Disclosures have started to replace most Standard Disclosures from October 2024.
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Enhanced Disclosure Scotland: It is a more detailed check, covering all convictions and any relevant police information. For some public bodies in Scotland, it is needed for positions where the candidate requires access to sensitive information or records as part of their role.
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PVG (protecting vulnerable groups): It ensures that candidates have no prior history of harmful behaviour and are suitable for regular work with children and protected adults. Disclosure Scotland will also alert employers if a candidate has any new convictions whilst being a scheme member. It is regularly required for roles with public bodies which involve working with vulnerable groups.
What happens if my Disclosure has a conviction?
If a certificate is returned from Disclosure Scotland with a conviction, this doesn’t necessarily disqualify you from the opportunity. The agency or employer may discuss the conviction with you to gain a better understanding of the circumstances surrounding it. They may consider the relevance of the conviction to the job role and if that has any implications on you being able to perform the relevant duties. They also could conduct a risk assessment to determine if the conviction poses a risk to the organisation or other employees.
Benefits of being a registered countersignatory.
We are happy to share that Venesky Brown are registered countersignatories with Disclosure Scotland. As countersignatures, we can apply on behalf of our candidates for Disclosure Scotland checks and PVGs, helping to streamline the recruitment process.
Candidates are able to apply for their own Basic Disclosure Scotland and we can support the application for PVGs, Standard, and Enhanced Disclosures.
