Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007

[F1 Definitions in relation to contact with children S

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 2 substituted (30.9.2024 for specified purposes, 1.4.2025 in so far as not already in force) by Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 (asp 13), s. 97, sch. 3 (with s. 96) (as amended by 2024 asp 5, s. 38(3), sch. para. 19(2); S.S.I. 2024/21, reg. 2(j)(ii)( with reg. 3)); S.S.I. 2024/242, reg. 2, sch.; S.S.I. 2025/27, reg. 3(1)(2), sch.

3 (1) In paragraph 1(2)(b)— S

• “contact with children”—

  (a)

  means, in relation to an activity, contact that is more than incidental to the carrying out of the activity, and

  (b)

  [F2 includes any of the following—

  (i)

  physical contact with children,

  (ii)

  visual, written or verbal communication with children,

  (iii)

  exercising power or influence over children,]

• “unsupervised contact with children” means contact with children in the absence of—

  (a)

  a responsible person,

  (b)

  a person carrying out an activity mentioned in paragraph 4, 8 or 12 of Part 2 of this schedule, or

  (c)

  an individual who, in relation to a child, has agreed to supervise the contact under arrangements made by the child's parent or guardian or any person aged 18 or over with whom the child lives in the course of a family or personal relationship,

• “responsible person” means, in relation to a child, any of the following persons—

  (a)

  the child's parent or guardian,

  (b)

  any person aged 18 or over with whom the child lives,

  (c)

  the person in charge of any of the following establishments in which the child is accommodated, is a patient or receives education (and any person acting on behalf of such a person)—

  (i)

  secure accommodation for children,

  (ii)

  a hospital which is used exclusively or mainly for the reception and treatment of children,

  (iii)

  an educational institution,

  (iv)

  a hostel,

  (v)

  a residential care setting,

  (d)

  a person who provides day care of children (within the meaning of schedule 12 of the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010),

  (e)

  any person holding a position mentioned in sub-paragraph (2),

• “family relationship” and “personal relationship” are to be construed in accordance with paragraph 2(2) to (4).

(2) The positions referred to in paragraph (e) of the definition of “responsible person” in sub-paragraph (1) are—

(a) a manager or member of a governing body, body of trustees or other body responsible for the management of an educational institution or a hostel (other than a member of a council),

(b) a member of—

(i) a committee (including joint committee) of a council which is concerned with the provision of education, accommodation, social services or health care services to children,

(ii) a sub-committee which discharges any functions of any such committee,

(c) a member of—

(i) the Children's Panel,

(ii) the Safeguarders Panel,

(iii) Children's Hearings Scotland,

(iv) staff of Children's Hearings Scotland,

(v) an area support team,

(vi) the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration,

(vii) staff of the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration,

(d) the National Convener of Children's Hearings Scotland,

(e) the Principal Reporter,

(f) the chief social work officer of a council,

(g) the Chief Education Officer of an education authority,

(h) the Commissioner for Children and Young People in Scotland,

(i) a member of staff of the Commissioner for Children and Young People in Scotland,

(j) the Registrar of Independent Schools in Scotland,

(k) a foster carer,

(l) a charity trustee of a children's charity,

(m) a person holding another position in a children's charity.

(3) In paragraph 1(3), “contact with children”—

(a) means, in relation to training or study, contact that is more than incidental to the undertaking of the training or study, and

(b) [F3 includes any of the following—

(i) physical contact with children,

(ii) visual, written or verbal communication with children,

(iii) exercising power or influence over children.]

(4) For the purpose of paragraph (b) of the definitions of “contact with children” in each of sub-paragraphs (1) and (3), “exercising power or influence over children” means—

(a) assisting, facilitating, permitting or impeding progress towards a desirable objective or outcome for a particular child,

(b) making decisions of an operational or strategic nature that could have an impact on a number of children, or

(c) persuading or putting pressure on a particular child to behave or act in a certain manner for the financial gain or personal gratification of a person other than the child.]

Textual Amendments

F2 Words in sch. 2 para. 3(1) substituted (1.4.2025) by The Regulated Roles with Children and Adults (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 (S.S.I. 2025/76), regs. 1(1), 2(2)(a); S.S.I. 2025/27, reg. 3(1)(2), sch.

F3 Sch. 2 para. 3(3)(b) substituted (1.4.2025) by The Regulated Roles with Children and Adults (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 (S.S.I. 2025/76), regs. 1(1), 2(2)(b); S.S.I. 2025/27, reg. 3(1)(2), sch.