Types of disclosure
You may need a criminal record check from Disclosure Scotland if you're applying for work, volunteering, or things like adopting a child.
Disclosure Scotland checks and shares information about people's criminal records. This helps organisations recruit the right people for certain types of work, like working with children.
The type of disclosure you need depends on your role or the work you're doing.
| Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Basic | £25 |
| Standard | £25 |
| Enhanced | £25 |
| Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme | £18 or £59 (see PVG fees) |
Basic disclosure
Basic disclosure is the most common type of criminal record check. It's the lowest level of disclosure. It shows any unspent convictions you have.
Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, some convictions are treated as spent after a certain length of time. Spent convictions are not included on a basic disclosure.
Disclosure Scotland does not monitor people as part of a basic disclosure. The disclosure only shows the information available on the date it was created.
How to apply
You can apply online for basic disclosure.
If you need a basic disclosure for a job in England or Wales, apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Standard and enhanced disclosure
Standard and enhanced disclosures involve higher level checks. They're for people doing certain types of work or looking to adopt.
- standard disclosure is for specific roles such as solicitors, accountants or providing a care service
- enhanced disclosure applies to specific roles such as checking people are suitable for adoption, or applying for certain gaming or lottery licences
How to apply
The organisation you're working with will send you a form to complete.
Organisations can download the digital form. Once the form is complete, the organisation needs to email it to Disclosure Scotland.
Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme
The PVG scheme is for people doing regulated work with children and protected adults. The organisation you're working with may ask you to join the scheme.
A PVG disclosure shows unspent and certain spent convictions. It also shows any non-conviction information that the police or other government bodies think is relevant.
Disclosure Scotland continuously monitors PVG members' records. It checks for convictions or other vetting information that might affect their suitability to work with vulnerable groups.
How to apply
The organisation you're working with will start the application online.
Once they complete the first part of the application, you'll receive an email with a link to the second part. You need to complete this part online and submit the application.
Organisations must register with Disclosure Scotland to apply for standard, enhanced or PVG disclosures. If they do not want to register, they can use an umbrella body instead.
Help
Training webinars
Disclosure Scotland runs free webinars to help organisations understand the types of disclosure. Sign up on the Disclosure Scotland events page or email dsworkshop@disclosurescotland.gov.scot to find out more.
Video guidance
There's guidance on Youtube that explains the different types of disclosure.
Contact Disclosure Scotland
Email: response@disclosurescotland.gov.scot
Phone: 0300 020 0040
Monday to Thursday 9am to 4pm
Friday 9am to 3:30pm
Find out about call charges
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