Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007

Part 2 SVetting and disclosure

The SchemeS

44The SchemeS

Ministers are to administer a scheme (“the Scheme”) under which information about individuals who do, or wish to do, regulated work with children or protected adults is—

(a)collated, and

(b)disclosed,

in accordance with this Part.

Commencement Information

I1S. 44 in force at 28.2.2011 by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a) (with art. 4)

45Participation in SchemeS

(1)An individual may apply to Ministers to join the Scheme in relation to—

(a)regulated work with children,

(b)regulated work with adults, or

(c)both types of regulated work.

(2)Ministers must allow an individual to be a member of the Scheme (a “scheme member”) in relation to a type of regulated work if the individual is not barred from doing that work.

Commencement Information

I2S. 45 in force at 28.2.2011 by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

46Statement of scheme membershipS

(1)Ministers must disclose a statement of scheme membership to each scheme member.

(2)A statement of scheme membership is a document which—

(a)sets out the type of regulated work in relation to which an individual participates in the Scheme,

(b)confirms that the individual is not barred from doing that work,

(c)if Ministers are considering whether to list the individual in relation to that type of work, says so, and

(d)contains such other information about the individual as may be prescribed.

(3)Ministers need not comply with subsection (1) where—

(a)the individual makes a disclosure request at the same time as the individual applies to join the Scheme, F1...

F1(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Vetting informationS

47Enquiries about scheme membersS

(1)Ministers must, after making enquiries for the purpose of discovering whether any vetting information exists in relation to a new scheme member, create a scheme record for the member.

(2)Ministers must make arrangements for the purpose of discovering whether any new vetting information arises in relation to scheme members while those members participate in the Scheme.

(3)Ministers must update a scheme record if they discover any new vetting information about the scheme member to whom it relates.

(4)Vetting information is new if Ministers did not discover it as a result of earlier enquiries made in pursuance of subsection (1) or (2) in relation to the scheme member concerned (regardless of whether it existed when they made those earlier enquiries).

Commencement Information

I4S. 47 in force at 28.2.2011 by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

48Scheme recordS

A scheme record is a document comprising—

(a)a scheme member's statement of scheme membership, and

(b)vetting information about the scheme member which Ministers discover as a result of enquiries or arrangements made under section 47.

Commencement Information

I5S. 48 in force at 28.2.2011 by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

49Vetting informationS

(1)Vetting information, in relation to a scheme member, is—

(a)the information referred to in section 113A(3)(a) of the 1997 Act (prescribed details of every relevant matter relating to the scheme member which is recorded in central records),

(b)if the scheme member is subject to notification requirements under Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), information about those requirements,

[F2(c)information which—

(i)the chief officer of a relevant police force reasonably believes to be relevant in relation to the type of regulated work in relation to which the scheme member participates in the Scheme, and

(ii)in the chief officer’s opinion, ought to be included in the scheme member’s scheme record, and]

(d)such other information as may be prescribed.

[F3(1A)For the avoidance of doubt, information such as is mentioned in subsection (1)(c) may include information with respect to relevant behaviour (within the meaning of section 5(1)(a) of the Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act 2019).]

(2)Regulations prescribing information for the purposes of subsection (1)(d) may require persons holding information of the type prescribed to disclose it to Ministers for the purposes of this Act.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I6S. 49(1)(a)-(c) (2) in force at 28.2.2011 by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

I7S. 49(1)(d) in force at 18.4.2010 for specified purposes by S.S.I. 2010/133, art. 2, Sch.

I8S. 49(1)(d) in force at 28.2.2011 in so far as not already in force by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

50Duty to notify certain changesS

(1)A scheme member must give Ministers notice of—

(a)a change in the member's name,

(b)the issue of a full gender recognition certificate to the member under section 4 of the Gender Recognition Act 2004 (c. 7), or

(c)any other change in circumstance of a prescribed type.

(2)A notice under subsection (1) must be given within 3 months of the date of the change or issue of the certificate to which it relates.

(3)An individual who fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with subsection (1) commits an offence.

(4)An individual guilty of an offence under subsection (3) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

Commencement Information

I9S. 50 in force at 28.2.2011 by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

51Correction of inaccurate scheme recordS

(1)Ministers must correct a scheme record if they are satisfied (following a request by a scheme member for correction, notification under section 50 or otherwise) that any information included in it is inaccurate.

(2)After correcting an inaccurate scheme record, Ministers must disclose the corrected information to—

(a)the scheme member, and

(b)any organisation for which they know the scheme member is doing regulated work.

(3)Subsection (2) applies only if Ministers have previously disclosed the inaccurate information under this Part to the scheme member or, as the case may be, the organisation.

(4)[F4Subject to subsection (4A),] a scheme member may, in particular, request a review of any information included in a scheme record by virtue of section 49(1)(c).

[F5(4A)But a scheme member may not request a review of information included in a scheme record by virtue of section 49(1)(c) which was or could have been the subject of an appeal under section 20 of the Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act 2019.]

[F6(5)Ministers, on receiving [F7a request mentioned in subsection (4)], must ask the chief officer of the relevant police force who provided that information to reconsider whether—

(a)the chief officer still reasonably believes that information to be relevant in relation to the type of regulated work in relation to which the scheme member participates in the Scheme, and

(b)in the chief officer’s opinion, that information still ought to be included in the scheme member’s scheme record.]

(6)Information which was considered accurate when included in a scheme record but which—

(a)is subsequently found to have always been inaccurate, or

(b)subsequently becomes inaccurate for any reason,

is to be regarded as being inaccurate information for the purposes of this section.

[F8(7)This section does not apply to vetting information included in a scheme record which could be the subject of an application under section 52A(2).]

[F952ZAProcedure following correction of inaccurate scheme recordS

(1)This section applies where—

(a)on receiving a copy of a scheme record under section 52(3)(b) or (5), a scheme member requests that Ministers correct information included in the record,

(b)Ministers correct the information, and

(c)as a result of the correction, the scheme record includes vetting information about a conviction [F10which falls within subsection (4)] .

(2)Section 51(2) does not apply in relation to the corrected information.

(3)Ministers must treat the request for disclosure to which the copy of the scheme record relates as if—

(a)it has not yet been complied with, and

(b)it had been made on the day on which the information is corrected.]

[F11(4)A conviction falls within this subsection if it is—

(a)a conviction for an offence listed in schedule 8A of the 1997 Act which is a spent conviction and either—

(i)the person was aged under 18 on the date of conviction and at least 7 years and 6 months have passed since the date of conviction, or

(ii)the person was aged 18 or over on the date of conviction and at least 15 years have passed since the date of conviction,

(b)a conviction for an offence listed in schedule 8B of the 1997 Act which is—

(i)a spent conviction, but

(ii)not a protected conviction.]

DisclosureS

[F1252Disclosure of scheme recordsS

(1)This section applies in relation to a scheme member’s scheme record if—

(a)disclosure conditions A to D are satisfied, and

(b)section 53 does not require Ministers to disclose the scheme member’s short scheme record.

(2) Subsection (3) applies where the scheme record does not include vetting information about a conviction [F13which falls within subsection (2A)].

[F14(2A)A conviction falls within this subsection if it is—

(a)a conviction for an offence listed in schedule 8A of the 1997 Act which is a spent conviction and either—

(i)the person was aged under 18 on the date of conviction and at least 7 years and 6 months have passed since the date of conviction, or

(ii)the person was aged 18 or over on the date of conviction and at least 15 years have passed since the date of conviction,

(b)a conviction for an offence listed in schedule 8B of the 1997 Act which is—

(i)a spent conviction, but

(ii)not a protected conviction.]

(3)Ministers must—

(a)disclose the scheme record, and

(b)send a copy of the scheme record to the scheme member.

(4)Subsections (5) to (9) apply where the scheme record includes vetting information about a conviction [F15which falls within subsection (2A).]

(5)Ministers must send a copy of the scheme record to the scheme member (who may make an application to the sheriff under section 52A(2)).

(6)Subsection (7) applies where—

(a)the scheme member notifies Ministers before the end of the period mentioned in section 52A(3)(a) that the scheme member does not intend to make an application under section 52A(2), or

(b)that period expires without the scheme member having notified Ministers that the scheme member does intend to make such an application.

(7)Ministers must disclose the scheme record as soon as possible after receiving the notification or, as the case may be, the expiry of that period.

(8)Subsection (9) applies where—

(a)the scheme member notifies Ministers before the end of the period mentioned in section 52A(3)(a) that the scheme member intends to make an application under section 52A(2), but

(b)either—

(i)the scheme member does not make such an application before the end of the period mentioned in section 52A(3)(b), or

(ii)the scheme member does make such an application but abandons it before it is determined by the sheriff.

(9)Ministers must not disclose the scheme record (and the request for disclosure of the record is to be treated as having been withdrawn).]

[F1252AReview of vetting information in scheme recordS

(1)This section applies where a scheme member receives a copy of the scheme member’s scheme record under section 52(5).

(2)The scheme member may apply to the sheriff for an order requiring Ministers to remove from the scheme record the vetting information referred to in section 52(4).

(3)An application under subsection (2)—

(a)may only be made if the scheme member notifies Ministers before the end of the period of 10 working days beginning with the date on which the scheme record was sent to the scheme member under section 52(5) of an intention to make the application,

(b)must be made before the end of the period of 3 months beginning with the date on which that notification is given, and

(c)must not relate to vetting information about a conviction which has previously been the subject of an application which—

(i)was refused under subsection (6)(b), and

(ii)related to the same type of regulated work.

(4)No finding of fact on which a conviction is based may be challenged in an application under subsection (2).

(5)Proceedings in an application under subsection (2) may take place in private if the sheriff considers it appropriate in all the circumstances.

(6)In determining an application under subsection (2) the sheriff must—

(a)if satisfied that the vetting information is not relevant in relation to a type of regulated work in relation to which the scheme member participates in the Scheme, allow the application,

(b)otherwise, refuse the application.

(7)The sheriff may allow the application in part where it relates to vetting information about two or more convictions.

(8)The decision of the sheriff on an application is final.

(9)Where the sheriff allows the application, the sheriff must order Ministers to remove the information from the scheme record in relation to a type of regulated work in relation to which the scheme member participates in the Scheme.

(10)On the determination of an application under subsection (2), Ministers must treat the disclosure request to which the application relates as if it had been made under section 52 on the day after the date on which the determination is made.]

53Disclosure of short scheme recordsS

(1)[F16Subject to subsection (1A),] Ministers must disclose a scheme member's short scheme record if—

(a)disclosure conditions A to D are satisfied,

(b)they have previously disclosed the member's scheme record, and

(c)the scheme member requests disclosure of a short scheme record only.

[F17(1A)But Ministers must treat the request as a request for a disclosure of the member’s scheme record under section 52 if the scheme record includes vetting information.]

(2)Ministers must send a copy of a record disclosed under subsection (1) to the scheme member who made the disclosure request.

(3)A short scheme record is a document which—

(a)includes a scheme member's statement of scheme membership,

[F18(b)says that no vetting information is included in the scheme member’s scheme record.]

F19(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

54Disclosure of scheme membershipS

(1)If disclosure conditions A to C are satisfied, Ministers must disclose a scheme member's statement of scheme membership.

(2)Ministers must send a copy of a statement disclosed under subsection (1) to the scheme member who made the disclosure request.

Commencement Information

I12S. 54 in force at 28.2.2011 by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

55Disclosure conditionsS

The disclosure conditions are—

Condition AThe scheme member requests Ministers to make the disclosure to a person, and in relation to a type of regulated work, specified in the request.
Condition BThe scheme member participates in the Scheme in relation to that type of regulated work.
Condition CThe person to whom the disclosure is to be made declares that the disclosure is requested for the purpose of enabling or assisting the person (or any other person for whom the person acts) to consider the scheme member's suitability to do, or to be offered or supplied for, that type of regulated work.
Condition DThe person to whom the disclosure is to be made is a registered person for the purposes of Part 5 of the 1997 Act.

Commencement Information

I13S. 55 in force at 28.2.2011 by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

56Crown workS

(1)This section applies where a disclosure declaration is made by—

(a)a Minister of the Crown,

(b)a member of the Scottish Executive,

(c)any other office-holder in the Scottish Administration, or

(d)a nominee of any person mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c).

(2)Where this section applies Ministers may, despite disclosure condition D, disclose the relevant scheme record or short scheme record.

Commencement Information

I14S. 56 in force at 28.2.2011 by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

57Disclosure restrictionsS

(1)Regulations under section 49(1)(d) may prohibit Ministers (at any time or in prescribed circumstances)—

(a)from including a prescribed type of information in scheme records,

(b)from disclosing a prescribed type of information under section 52 or 53.

(2)Subsection (3) applies where—

(a)a scheme member participates in the Scheme in relation to both types of regulated work, and

(b)Ministers receive a disclosure request which includes a disclosure declaration made in relation to only one of those types of regulated work.

(3)Where this subsection applies, Ministers must not—

(a)disclose information which appears in the member's scheme record only because the member participates in the Scheme in relation to the other type of regulated work, or

(b)reveal whether any such information has been included in, or removed from, the member's scheme record.

Commencement Information

I15S. 57 in force at 28.2.2011 by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

[F2057AMeaning of “conviction” and “protected conviction”S

For the purposes of sections [F2152ZA,] 52 and 52A—

  • “conviction” means a conviction within the meaning of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, and “spent conviction” is to be construed in accordance with that Act,

  • “protected conviction” is to be construed in accordance with section 126ZA of the 1997 Act . ]

Removal from schemeS

58Removal from schemeS

(1)Ministers must remove a scheme member from the Scheme in relation to a type of regulated work if they—

(a)bar the member from doing that work by listing the member, or

(b)become aware that the member has otherwise been barred from doing that work.

(2)Ministers may remove from the Scheme any scheme member who fails to pay any fee for participation in the Scheme which is prescribed under section 70.

Commencement Information

I16S. 58 in force at 28.2.2011 by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

59Withdrawal from schemeS

Ministers must remove a scheme member from the Scheme in relation to a type of regulated work if—

(a)the scheme member applies to be so removed, and

(b)they are satisfied that the scheme member is not doing that type of regulated work.

Commencement Information

I17S. 59 in force at 28.2.2011 by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

[F2259AWithdrawal from Scheme when under consideration for listingS

(1)Where—

(a)Ministers remove an individual who is a scheme member from the Scheme under section 59, and

(b)at the time of the removal, they are considering whether to list the individual by virtue of sections 10 to 13 or section 45B(7),

they may decide not to continue to consider whether to list the individual.

(2)Where Ministers decide under subsection (1) not to continue to consider whether to list an individual, that decision is not to be treated as a decision not to list the individual after considering whether to do so for the purposes of subsection (3C) or (4) of section 30 (and accordingly no notice of the decision under subsection (1) is to be given under either of those subsections of that section).]

Textual Amendments

60Notice of removalS

(1)Ministers must give notice confirming that they have removed an individual from the Scheme under section 58 or 59 to—

(a)the individual, and

(b)any other person whom they think fit.

(2)A notice under subsection (1) must—

(a)state the type of regulated work in relation to which the individual has been removed, and

(b)say why the individual has been removed.

[F23(2A)Where Ministers decide under section 59A(1) not to continue to consider whether to list the individual a notice under subsection (1) must also give notice of that fact.]

(3)A notice under subsection (1)(b) need not comply with subsection (2)(b) if Ministers think that it would be inappropriate for the recipient to be informed of the reason for removal.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I18S. 60 in force at 28.2.2011 by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

61Retention of scheme records after removalS

(1)Ministers may keep the scheme record of an individual removed from the Scheme and may continue to use that record for the purposes of enabling or assisting them to perform their functions under this Act.

(2)Subsection (1) does not—

(a)entitle Ministers to continue to make enquires in relation to the individual in pursuance of section 47(2), or

(b)require Ministers to otherwise ensure that the retained scheme record is updated.

[F24(3)Where Ministers decide under section 59A(1) not to continue to consider whether to list an individual, Ministers may keep any information received by them when considering whether to list the individual for the purposes of enabling or assisting them to perform their functions under this Act.]

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I19S. 61 in force at 28.2.2011 by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

Evidence of identityS

62Evidence of identityS

(1)An individual making—

(a)an application to join, or to be removed from, the Scheme,

(b)a request to correct a scheme record, or

(c)a disclosure request,

must provide Ministers with such evidence of identity as they may require.

(2)Ministers need not consider such an application or request if—

(a)the individual fails to comply with a requirement under this section or section 63, or

(b)the evidence provided does not satisfy them as to the individual's identity.

Commencement Information

I20S. 62 in force at 28.2.2011 by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

63Power to use fingerprints to check applicant's identityS

(1)Ministers may require an applicant to join the Scheme, or a scheme member, to have fingerprints taken in such manner, and at such place, as may be prescribed for the purposes of enabling or assisting Ministers to satisfy themselves as to the identity of the applicant or, as the case may be, scheme member.

(2)But Ministers may require an individual to have fingerprints taken under subsection (1) only if they are not satisfied by other evidence provided under section 62(1) as to the individual's identity.

(3)Ministers must arrange the destruction of any such fingerprints as soon as reasonably practicable after they have been used for the purposes mentioned in subsection (1).

(4)Any person who holds records of fingerprints for the use of police forces generally must make those records available to Ministers for the purposes of this section.

(5)This section does not affect the generality of section 62 in relation to any other type of evidence of identity.

Commencement Information

I21S. 63(1) in force at 18.4.2010 for specified purposes by S.S.I. 2010/133, art. 2, Sch.

I22S. 63(1) in force at 28.2.2011 in so far as not already in force by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

I23S. 63(2)-(5) in force at 28.2.2011 by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

64Power to use personal data to check applicant's identityS

(1)Ministers may use information given to them by personal data holders to check evidence of identity given to them for the purposes of section 62.

(2)Personal data holders are—

  • The Identity and Passport Service

  • The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

  • Ministers of the Crown in connection with keeping of records of national insurance numbers

  • Such other persons holding data about individuals as may be prescribed

Commencement Information

I24S. 64(1) in force at 28.2.2011 by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

I25S. 64(2) in force at 18.4.2010 for specified purposes by S.S.I. 2010/133, art. 2, Sch.

I26S. 64(2) in force at 28.2.2011 in so far as not already in force by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

Offences relating to vetting informationS

65Falsification of scheme records etc.S

(1)It is an offence for a person, with intent to deceive, to—

(a)make a document which purports to be a disclosure record,

(b)alter a disclosure record,

(c)use, or allow another person to use, a disclosure record in a way which suggests that it relates to an individual other than the scheme member in respect of whom it was disclosed.

(2)It is an offence for a person to knowingly make a false or misleading declaration or other statement for the purposes of—

(a)obtaining, or enabling another person to obtain, a disclosure record, or

(b)satisfying Ministers that an individual who is doing regulated work is not doing so.

Commencement Information

I27S. 65 in force at 28.2.2011 by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

66Unlawful disclosure of scheme records etc.S

(1)A person to whom disclosure information is disclosed under section 51, 52, 53 or 54 commits an offence if the person discloses it to any other person.

(2)A person does not commit an offence under subsection (1) by disclosing the disclosure information—

(a)to any of the person's employees,

(b)where the person is not an individual, to any member or officer of the person, or

(c)where the disclosure was made for the purpose of enabling or assisting another person to consider a scheme member's suitability to do, or to be offered or supplied for, regulated work—

(i)to that other person,

(ii)to any of that other person's employees, or

(iii)where that other person is not an individual, to any member or officer of that other person.

(3)An individual to whom disclosure information is disclosed lawfully by virtue of subsection (2)(a) or (b) or (4)(a) commits an offence if the individual discloses it to any other person.

(4)An individual does not commit an offence under subsection (3) by disclosing the disclosure information, in the course of the individual's duties—

(a)to any other individual who is a member, officer or employee of the person to whom the corresponding disclosure was made under section 52, 53 or 54, or

(b)where the disclosure was made for the purpose of enabling or assisting another person to consider a scheme member's suitability to do, or to be offered or supplied for, regulated work—

(i)to that other person,

(ii)to any of that other person's employees, or

(iii)where that other person is not an individual, to any member or officer of that other person.

(5)A person to whom disclosure information is disclosed lawfully by virtue of subsection (2)(c)(i) or (4)(b)(i) commits an offence if the person discloses it to any other person.

(6)A person does not commit an offence under subsection (5) by disclosing the disclosure information—

(a)to any of the person's employees, or

(b)where the person is not an individual, to any member or officer of the person.

(7)An individual to whom disclosure information is disclosed lawfully by virtue of subsection (2)(c)(ii) or (iii), (4)(b)(ii) or (iii) or (6) commits an offence if the person discloses it to any other person.

(8)An individual does not commit an offence under subsection (7) by disclosing the disclosure information, in the course of the individual's duties, to any other individual who is a member, officer or employee of the person for whose purposes the corresponding disclosure was made under section 52, 53 or 54.

(9)A person to whom disclosure information is disclosed unlawfully commits an offence if the person discloses it to any other person.

Commencement Information

I28S. 66 in force at 28.2.2011 by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

67Unlawful requests for scheme records etc.S

(1)It is an offence to request provision of, or to otherwise seek sight of, a disclosure record for a purpose other than the permitted purpose.

(2)It is an offence to use disclosure information for a purpose other than the permitted purpose.

(3)The permitted purpose is to enable or assist a person (“Z”) to consider the suitability of the individual to whom the record or information relates—

(a)to do, or to be offered or supplied for, the type of regulated work to which the disclosure record relates, or

(b)to do that type of regulated work in prescribed circumstances for any person other than Z in pursuance of arrangements under which services are provided to Z.

(4)References in subsection (1) to disclosure records do not include references to information included in disclosure records.

Commencement Information

I29S. 67(1)(2)(3)(a)(4) in force at 28.2.2011 by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

I30S. 67(3)(b) in force at 18.4.2010 for specified purposes by S.S.I. 2010/133, art. 2, Sch.

I31S. 67(3)(b) in force at 28.2.2011 in so far as not already in force by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

68Unlawful disclosure etc.: supplementaryS

(1)Nothing in section 66 prevents disclosure of disclosure information—

(a)by the scheme member to whom the information relates,

(b)by any other person with the consent of the scheme member to whom the information relates,

(c)to an office-holder in the Scottish Administration or a government department,

(d)to a person appointed to any office by virtue of any enactment,

(e)in accordance with any obligation to provide information imposed by virtue of any enactment,

(f)for the purposes of answering a prescribed type of exempted question, or

(g)for some other prescribed purpose.

(2)Nothing in subsections (2), (4), (6) or (8) of section 66 makes lawful any disclosure of disclosure information made otherwise than for the purpose of enabling or assisting the person in relation to whom the corresponding disclosure request was made to consider the suitability of the scheme member concerned to do, or to be offered or supplied for, the type of regulated work concerned.

(3)Nothing in section 67 prevents use of disclosure information for a purpose other than the permitted purpose—

(a)by the scheme member to whom the information relates,

(b)by any other person with the consent of the scheme member to whom the information relates,

(c)by an office-holder in the Scottish Administration or a government department,

(d)by a person appointed to any office by virtue of any enactment,

(e)in accordance with any obligation to provide information imposed by virtue of any enactment,

(f)in order to answer a prescribed type of exempted question, or

(g)in any other prescribed circumstances.

(4)References in sections 66 and 67 and in this section to disclosure information are references to—

(a)disclosure records disclosed under section 52, 53 or 54, and

(b)any information in such a disclosure record which is obtained only by virtue of section 51, 52, 53 or 54.

(5)“Exempted question”, where used in subsections (1)(f) and (3)(f), means a question in relation to which section 4(2)(a) or (b) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (c. 53) has been excluded by order made under section 4(4) of that Act.

Commencement Information

I32S. 68 in force at 28.2.2011 by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

69Penalties for offences relating to vetting informationS

A person guilty of an offence under section 65, 66 or 67 is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or to both.

Commencement Information

I33S. 69 in force at 28.2.2011 by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

Fees, forms and other proceduresS

70FeesS

(1)Ministers may charge such fee as may be prescribed—

(a)in respect of applications to join, or to be removed from, the Scheme,

(b)in respect of disclosure requests, and

(c)otherwise in respect of the performance of their functions under this Part.

(2)Regulations may, in particular, provide for—

(a)different fees in different circumstances,

(b)annual or other recurring fees in respect of participation in the Scheme,

(c)reduction, waiver or refund of fees in prescribed circumstances.

(3)Before prescribing fees under this section, Ministers must have regard to—

(a)the circumstances in which those fees are payable, and

(b)the desirability of maintaining an appropriate balance among—

(i)the quality of the performance of their vetting, barring and disclosure functions,

(ii)the cost of that performance, and

(iii)the fees paid to them in respect of that performance.

(4)Where regulations provide for a fee to be charged in respect of—

(a)an application to join, or to be removed from, the Scheme, or

(b)a disclosure request,

Ministers need not consider the application or request unless the fee is paid.

Commencement Information

I34S. 70(1)-(3) in force at 18.4.2010 for specified purposes by S.S.I. 2010/133, art. 2, Sch.

I35S. 70(1)-(3) in force at 28.2.2011 in so far as not already in force by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

I36S. 70(4) in force at 28.2.2011 by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

71FormsS

(1)It is for Ministers to determine the form and manner in which—

(a)applications to join, or to be removed from, the Scheme,

(b)requests to correct a scheme record, and

(c)disclosure requests (including disclosure declarations made in relation to them),

must be made.

(2)Ministers may, in particular, determine that any such application, request or declaration may be made in electronic form.

(3)Ministers need not consider any such application, request or declaration unless it is made in the form and manner determined by them (or in a form and manner as close to that as circumstances permit).

Commencement Information

I37S. 71 in force at 12.10.2010 by S.S.I. 2010/344, art. 2(a)(iii)

72ProcedureS

(1)Ministers may, by regulations, make such further provision about the administration of the Scheme as they think fit.

(2)Regulations may, in particular—

(a)prescribe further procedure relating to applications to join, or to be removed from, the Scheme,

(b)prescribe circumstances in which scheme members are to be removed from the Scheme,

(c)prescribe circumstances in which disclosure condition A (see section 55) is to be treated as being satisfied when a person other than a scheme member makes a disclosure request in respect of that member,

(d)prescribe further procedure relating to making disclosure requests and to disclosing information in pursuance of such requests.

Commencement Information

I38S. 72 in force at 18.4.2010 for specified purposes by S.S.I. 2010/133, art. 2, Sch.

I39S. 72 in force at 28.2.2011 in so far as not already in force by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

SupplementaryS

73Consideration of suitabilityS

References in this Part to a person (“A”) considering an individual's suitability to do, or to be offered or supplied for, any type of regulated work are references to A considering the individual's suitability—

(a)to do that type of regulated work for A,

(b)to be supplied by A to do that type of regulated work for another person,

(c)to be a teacher (for the purposes of [F25 registration under the Public Services Reform (General Teaching Council for Scotland) Order 2011 ])),

(d)to provide or manage a care service (for the purposes of the [F26 Part 5 of the 2010 Act ]),

(e)to be registered under Part 3 (registration of social workers etc.) of the 2001 Act,

(f)to foster a child (for the purposes of any regulations made under section 5(2) of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 (c. 49)), or

(g)for any other prescribed purpose.

Textual Amendments

F26Words in s. 73(d) substituted (1.10.2010 for specified purposes, 1.4.2011 in so far as not already in force) by Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 8), s. 134(7), Sch. 14 para. 32; S.S.I. 2010/321, art. 3, Sch.

Commencement Information

I40S. 73(a)-(f) in force at 28.2.2011 by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

I41S. 73(g) in force at 18.4.2010 for specified purposes by S.S.I. 2010/133, art. 2, Sch.

I42S. 73(g) in force at 28.2.2011 in so far as not already in force by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

74Delegation of vetting and disclosure functionsS

(1)Ministers may, to such extent and subject to such conditions as they think appropriate, delegate any of their functions under this Part (other than excepted functions) to such person as they may determine.

(2)An excepted function is a function—

(a)relating to the making of regulations or orders,

(b)under section 71, or

(c)relating to the determination of an appropriate fee under section 75(4).

(3)A delegation under subsection (1) may be varied or revoked at any time.

(4)No proceedings are competent against a person performing functions delegated under this section by reason of an inaccuracy in the information made available or provided to the person in accordance with section 63(4) or 75.

Commencement Information

I43S. 74 in force at 28.2.2011 by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

75Sources of informationS

(1)Any person who holds records of convictions, cautions or other information for the use of police forces generally must make those records available to Ministers for the purposes of enabling or assisting them to perform their functions under this Part.

(2)[F27 The chief constable] must, as soon as practicable, comply with a request by Ministers to provide them with information of the type described in section 49(1)(c) for the purposes of enabling or assisting them to perform their functions under this Part.

[F28(2A)But the chief constable may provide information under subsection (2) relating to a time when the scheme member was under 12 years of age only where—

(a)the independent reviewer determines, on a review under section 18 of the Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act 2019, that the information ought to be included in the scheme member's scheme record and—

(i)no appeal under section 20 of that Act is taken, or

(ii)such an appeal having been taken, the sheriff confirms the determination under section 20(3)(a), or

(b)the sheriff, on an appeal under section 20, determines under section 20(3)(b) that the information ought to be included in the scheme member's scheme record.]

(3)[F29The chief constable] must not provide information to Ministers under subsection (2) if the [F30 chief constable ] thinks that disclosing that information to the individual to whom it relates would be contrary to the interests of the prevention or detection of crime.

(4)Ministers must pay the [F31 Scottish Police Authority ] such fee as Ministers think appropriate for information provided under subsection (2).

(5)No proceedings are competent against Ministers by reason of an inaccuracy in the information made available or provided to them in accordance with this section or section 63(4) [F32 (or in pursuance of any other power or duty to provide information to Ministers in relation to their functions under this Part)].

[F33(6)In this section, “independent reviewer” means the independent reviewer appointed under section 12 of the Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act 2019.]

Textual Amendments

F27Words in s. 75(2) substituted (1.4.2013) by Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (asp 8), s. 129(2), Sch. 7 para. 36(4)(a); S.S.I. 2013/51, art. 2 (with transitional provisions and savings in S.S.I. 2013/121)

F29Words in s. 75(3) substituted (1.4.2013) by Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (asp 8), s. 129(2), Sch. 7 para. 36(4)(b)(i); S.S.I. 2013/51, art. 2 (with transitional provisions and savings in S.S.I. 2013/121)

F30Words in s. 75(3) substituted (1.4.2013) by Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (asp 8), s. 129(2), Sch. 7 para. 36(4)(b)(ii); S.S.I. 2013/51, art. 2 (with transitional provisions and savings in S.S.I. 2013/121)

F31Words in s. 75(4) substituted (1.4.2013) by Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (asp 8), s. 129(2), Sch. 7 para. 36(4)(c); S.S.I. 2013/51, art. 2 (with transitional provisions and savings in S.S.I. 2013/121)

F32Words in s. 75(5) inserted (18.4.2010 for specified purposes, coming into force in accordance with art. 1(2)) by The Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 (Miscellaneous Provisions) Order 2010 (S.S.I. 2010/446), arts. 1(2), 10(5)

Commencement Information

I44S. 75 in force at 28.2.2011 by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

76Police access to scheme informationS

(1)Ministers must make available to [F34the chief constable]

(a)the name of each individual participating in the Scheme,

(b)confirmation of whether each such individual participates in the Scheme in relation to regulated work with—

(i)children,

(ii)adults, or

(iii)both, and

(c)any other information held by Ministers by virtue of their administration of the Scheme which Ministers consider would enable or assist [F35 constables of the Police Service of Scotland ] to satisfy themselves as to the identity of such individuals.

(2)Information disclosed under subsection (1) may be used by [F36constables of the Police Service of Scotland] only for [F37

(a)the performance of the chief constable's functions under this Part, or

(b)the law enforcement purposes within the meaning of section 31 of the Data Protection Act 2018].

Textual Amendments

F34Words in s. 76(1) substituted (1.4.2013) by Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (asp 8), s. 129(2), Sch. 7 para. 36(5)(a)(i); S.S.I. 2013/51, art. 2 (with transitional provisions and savings in S.S.I. 2013/121)

F35Words in s. 76(1)(c) substituted (1.4.2013) by Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (asp 8), s. 129(2), Sch. 7 para. 36(5)(a)(ii); S.S.I. 2013/51, art. 2 (with transitional provisions and savings in S.S.I. 2013/121)

F36Words in s. 76(2) substituted (1.4.2013) by Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (asp 8), s. 129(2), Sch. 7 para. 36(5)(b); S.S.I. 2013/51, art. 2 (with transitional provisions and savings in S.S.I. 2013/121)

Commencement Information

I45S. 76 in force at 28.2.2011 by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)

77Statements of scheme membership: disclosure of whether individual under consideration for listingS

(1)Despite section 46(2)(c), a statement of scheme membership must not disclose whether Ministers are considering whether to list an individual if Ministers have not made a decision under section 15 or, as the case may be, 16 within the relevant period.

(2)The relevant period is—

(a)where the information which caused Ministers to consider whether to list the individual is the subject of legal or disciplinary proceedings, the period of 6 months which begins on the date on which the proceedings are finally determined,

(b)in any other case, the period of 6 months which begins on the date on which Ministers made a decision under section 10, 11, 12 or 13 to consider whether to list the individual, or

(c)where either of the periods mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) is extended under subsection (3), the extended period.

(3)The sheriff may, on an application by Ministers and on cause shown, extend the period mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (2) (or, as the case may be, that period as previously extended under this subsection).

(4)A period may not be extended (or further extended) under subsection (3) for a period of longer than 6 months beginning with the date on which the extension (or further extension) is granted.

(5)An application under subsection (3) must be made before the expiry of the relevant period.

(6)Where an application under subsection (3) is made, the relevant period is to be treated for the purposes of subsection (1) as not having expired until the application is determined.

(7)The sheriff may, on cause shown, dispense with any requirement—

(a)to intimate an application under subsection (3) to the individual,

(b)to notify the individual of any interlocutor relating to the application.

(8)For the purposes of subsection (5), an application is made when it is lodged with the sheriff clerk.

(9)Any court proceedings under subsection (3) may take place in private if the sheriff considers it appropriate in all the circumstances.

(10)For the purposes of subsection (2)(a), proceedings are finally determined when—

(a)the proceedings are terminated or abandoned without a decision being made,

(b)a decision is made against which no appeal lies, or

(c)where a decision is made which may be appealed, the period during which an appeal (other than an appeal which need not be timeous) may be brought expires without an appeal being brought.

(11)For the purposes of subsection (10), an appeal which need not be timeous is—

(a)an appeal under Part 8 (appeals from solemn proceedings) of the 1995 Act in relation to which the High Court must, if the appeal is to be competent, extend the time within which intimation of intention to appeal or note of appeal or both may be given,

(b)an appeal under Part 10 (appeals from summary proceedings) of the 1995 Act in relation to which the High Court must, if the appeal is to be competent, extend the time within which an application for a stated case may be made, or

(c)an appeal under section 191 (appeal by suspension on ground of miscarriage of justice) of the 1995 Act.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I46S. 77 in force at 28.2.2011 by S.S.I. 2011/157, art. 2(a)