Question reference: S3W-22962
- Asked by: Shirley-Anne Somerville, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 14 April 2009
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Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 12 May 2009
Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what impact assessment was carried out before changes were made to the interpretation of eligibility criteria for voluntary organisations seeking to access enhanced or standard disclosure checks for staff and volunteers working with vulnerable adults.
Answer
The changes arose following audit compliance work by Disclosure Scotland which highlighted that some voluntary and charitable sector positions fall outwith the criteria set out in current legislation. It was identified that some individuals would not have been allowed to have anything other than a basic disclosure check until the commencement of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act in 2010. So for continuity, and to ensure that local authorities are not faced with reduced services, an amendment to current legislation is being brought forward to enable organisations to request enhanced level checks.