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MINISTERIAL FOREWORD
The Protection of Vulnerable Groups Disclosure Scheme (the PVG Scheme) is about ensuring that, for example, when we drop our children off at school or when a family member needs an operation, we are reassured that they are not left in the care of someone who would do them harm.
We know that the vast majority of people who work with vulnerable groups make a valuable and positive contribution to their lives. But there are some who would abuse the trust we place in them. None of us would consider it acceptable if, for example, our child was being looked after by a sex offender. Or if an elderly parent was in the care of someone who had a history of violent behaviour.
The PVG scheme will help to reduce the possibility of this happening so that we can have confidence when our loved ones are in receipt of regulated services. It will ensure that those who have regular contact with vulnerable groups, through the workplace, do not have a history of harmful behaviour. It will exclude people who, on the basis of their past behaviour, are known to be unsuitable from working, paid or unpaid, with children and protected adults and detect those who become unsuitable while in the workplace.
As well as strengthening protection for vulnerable groups, it introduces a more streamlined disclosure process for employers, employees and volunteers to use. A significant benefit of the scheme membership system it introduces is that it ends the need for multiple disclosure applications.
I am grateful to all those who responded to the consultation on policy proposals for secondary legislation and to those who attended the series of consultation and information events. This response reflects the broad consensus of the consultation findings and will shape the detail of the secondary legislation that we will lay before Parliament for consideration.
In the coming months, my officials will continue to work with a wide range of organisations and groups to develop a robust and efficient scheme.
A scheme that will identify people who are unsuitable to work with vulnerable groups.
A scheme that is trusted and that recognises that the vast majority of the workforce are caring and responsible people.
And a scheme that strikes the balance between proportionate protection and individual rights.
It is indeed encouraging to know that we are all working together to deliver a strengthened and robust scheme that contributes directly to the Scottish Government's objective of helping local communities flourish and become stronger, safer places to live.
Adam Ingram
Minister for Children and Early Years
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