The following is an announcement from Scottish Headquaters.

All existing disclosure MUST be with Richard Fairbairn for submission by Friday 12th November in order that the can be processed and posted to Gilwell

Advance Notice

1. Current Disclosure Scotland forms for Scouting will be withdrawn with effect from Monday 15th November 2010.
2. Completed Disclosure forms will not be accepted at Gilwell Park after Monday 22nd November 2010.
3. New PVG Scheme forms must be used for all criminal records checks submitted from 30th November 2010.

 

The Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme goes live on 30th November. This Scheme replaces current arrangements for criminal record checks established to meet requirements of the Protection of Children (Scotland) Act 2003. The current Disclosure Scotland forms are being replaced by new forms and consequently all existing Disclosure Scotland forms will cease to be valid at the PVG go-live date.

In order to manage the transition to the new PVG Scheme, it has been agreed that no current Disclosure Scotland forms will be issued from Gilwell Park as of Monday 15th November. Additionally, in order that it can process completed forms and forward them to Disclosure Scotland before the new Scheme starts, Gilwell Park will not accept the current Disclosure Scotland forms after Monday 22nd November.
Any stocks of the current Disclosure Scotland forms held after 15th November and not required by the 22nd November deadline should be destroyed.

The New PVG Scheme

From a Scouting perspective, the operation of the new PVG Scheme will seem much like current arrangements. All adult roles that currently require a Disclosure will in future require PVG Scheme Membership. Scheme membership is secured through completion of an application form that is quite similar to the current Disclosure form: see sample PVG Scheme Membership application form (pdf). Once the old Disclosure forms have been withdrawn, all adults being considered for appointments will be required to become PVG Scheme Members.

However, if an adult wishing to take up an appointment in Scouting is already a PVG Scheme Member (e.g. through their work, another voluntary group), they will be required to complete the abbreviated application form for a Scheme Record Update: see sample PVG Existing Scheme member application form (pdf).

Supplies of the new forms, overprinted with Scout Association details, are expected to be available from Gilwell Park by early November, subject to supplies arriving on time from Disclosure Scotland. Notification of actual date of availability, along with more detailed operational information, will be provided directly to Appointment Secretaries.