Written Question · S3W-27087 · Session 3
Given the shortage of teaching positions and the rise in those seeking teaching supply positions, whether it will consider making teaching …
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive, given the shortage of teaching positions and the rise in those seeking teaching supply positions, whether it will consider making teaching disclosure arrangements portable so that there are no unnecessary delays in supply teachers securing work.
The answer
It has been recognised that a Disclosure Scotland check is valid only on the day of issue. This means that they are not portable and this can be a burden for some users. This will change when the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Scheme (PVG Scheme) is introduced next year.
The PVG Scheme will establish a membership scheme that people doing regulated work (and that includes teaching) will be able to join. The PVG Scheme will be membership-based and workforce specific. This means that membership will be portable between posts in the same workforce. One advantage for the scheme member and the prospective employer is that once someone is in the PVG Scheme, a full written application will not be needed if the teacher moves to a new post in a different council area. A scheme record update will be available that will confirm to the new employer that membership is still valid.
At week ending, 6 September 2009, the average turnaround time for standard and enhanced applications that were correctly completed and which did not require further enquiries disclosures was 7.6 days. An enhanced disclosure would be the level requested for teaching positions.
The PVG Scheme will establish a membership scheme that people doing regulated work (and that includes teaching) will be able to join. The PVG Scheme will be membership-based and workforce specific. This means that membership will be portable between posts in the same workforce. One advantage for the scheme member and the prospective employer is that once someone is in the PVG Scheme, a full written application will not be needed if the teacher moves to a new post in a different council area. A scheme record update will be available that will confirm to the new employer that membership is still valid.
At week ending, 6 September 2009, the average turnaround time for standard and enhanced applications that were correctly completed and which did not require further enquiries disclosures was 7.6 days. An enhanced disclosure would be the level requested for teaching positions.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S3W-27087 by reference.