Written Question · S3W-28747 · Session 3
What the next steps are in its plans to implement the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme.
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the next steps are in its plans to implement the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme.
The answer
The Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG Scheme) is a new membership scheme that will replace and improve upon current disclosure arrangements for people who work with children and protected adults. It is expected to go live towards the end of 2010 and will be phased in to minimise any administrative burden on organisations.
The PVG Scheme will help to ensure that those who have regular contact with vulnerable groups through work do not have a known history of harmful behaviour. It will be quick and easy to use as it will reduce the need for PVG Scheme members to complete a detailed application form every time a disclosure check is required. Overall it will strike a balance between proportionate protection and robust regulation and make it easier for employers to determine who they should check to protect their client group.
A package of draft secondary legislation and guidance is today being published for consultation with individuals, groups and organisations that will be affected by the PVG Scheme. This marks a significant step towards implementation.
Included in the package is a draft Scottish Statutory Instrument on the two tier fee levels for PVG Scheme membership and disclosure requests. The two-tier fee level reflects feed back from earlier consultation with the vulnerable groups'' workforce.
The PVG Scheme introduces different disclosures which aim to suit different needs to make the system as quick and efficient as possible. More detailed information about the fees associated with the different disclosure types is contained in the draft SSI.
The proposed higher tier fee level of £59 will be payable when an individual first joins the PVG Scheme.
The proposed lower fee of £18 will be payable for most PVG Scheme Record Updates on existing scheme members.
All PVG Scheme Record Disclosures and Updates will continue to be made available free of charge for volunteers who work with vulnerable groups in the voluntary sector, in Scotland.
The purpose of the PVG Scheme Record Update is to enable employers to check quickly, easily and cheaply that employees or potential employees (paid or unpaid) are PVG Scheme members. This means they are not barred from working with vulnerable groups.
As over 90 per cent of PVG Scheme members are expected to have no relevant vetting information on their record this will make the whole transaction immediate and help to speed up recruitment decisions. It is anticipated that organisations will save money in the longer term as the PVG Scheme ends the need for people to complete and submit a detailed application form every time a check is required.
At the same time as the PVG Scheme is introduced, the Scottish Government plans to increase the fee for Police Act disclosures (basic, standard and residual enhanced) from £23 to £25. This will have no bearing on PVG Scheme members.
The PVG Scheme will help to ensure that those who have regular contact with vulnerable groups through work do not have a known history of harmful behaviour. It will be quick and easy to use as it will reduce the need for PVG Scheme members to complete a detailed application form every time a disclosure check is required. Overall it will strike a balance between proportionate protection and robust regulation and make it easier for employers to determine who they should check to protect their client group.
A package of draft secondary legislation and guidance is today being published for consultation with individuals, groups and organisations that will be affected by the PVG Scheme. This marks a significant step towards implementation.
Included in the package is a draft Scottish Statutory Instrument on the two tier fee levels for PVG Scheme membership and disclosure requests. The two-tier fee level reflects feed back from earlier consultation with the vulnerable groups'' workforce.
The PVG Scheme introduces different disclosures which aim to suit different needs to make the system as quick and efficient as possible. More detailed information about the fees associated with the different disclosure types is contained in the draft SSI.
The proposed higher tier fee level of £59 will be payable when an individual first joins the PVG Scheme.
The proposed lower fee of £18 will be payable for most PVG Scheme Record Updates on existing scheme members.
All PVG Scheme Record Disclosures and Updates will continue to be made available free of charge for volunteers who work with vulnerable groups in the voluntary sector, in Scotland.
The purpose of the PVG Scheme Record Update is to enable employers to check quickly, easily and cheaply that employees or potential employees (paid or unpaid) are PVG Scheme members. This means they are not barred from working with vulnerable groups.
As over 90 per cent of PVG Scheme members are expected to have no relevant vetting information on their record this will make the whole transaction immediate and help to speed up recruitment decisions. It is anticipated that organisations will save money in the longer term as the PVG Scheme ends the need for people to complete and submit a detailed application form every time a check is required.
At the same time as the PVG Scheme is introduced, the Scottish Government plans to increase the fee for Police Act disclosures (basic, standard and residual enhanced) from £23 to £25. This will have no bearing on PVG Scheme members.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S3W-28747 by reference.