Disclosure Bill passes final Holyrood stage

The Disclosure (Scotland) Bill has passed its final stage in the Scottish Parliament, clearing the way for changes to the way criminal record disclosures operate and improvements to the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme.

MSPs unanimously approved the bill, under which PVG scheme membership will be mandatory for those carrying out regulated roles with children and adults, including those working in sports such as youth coaches and agents.

At the same time the system will be simplified. The bill ends the lifetime membership of the scheme, as well as ending the need for disclosure of some minor offences committed as a child. The number of disclosure levels will decrease.

Liberal Democrat MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton sought to extend the scheme to cover elected representatives, but withdrew his amendment on an undertaking by the minister to commission a review of safeguarding in that context.

Minister for Children and Young People Maree Todd said: "This Government is committed to policies which balance public protection with the right to move on from past offences.

"The 2018 public consultation confirmed the PVG Scheme is greatly valued but highlighted proportionality and complexity in the disclosure system as key issues.

"Introducing a mandatory PVG Scheme will close the safeguarding gap surrounding those few roles which are eligible for PVG scheme membership but the employer chooses not to require proof of scheme membership.

"The new legislation recognises adolescence as a unique phase of life and delivers on our commitment to affording everyone a better chance to overcome early adversities, including youth offending, in order to allow them to become productive and valued citizens in adulthood."

Click here to view the stage 3 debate.