FOI/202300349541 · FOI · unclear
Breakdown of applications received by Disclosure Scotland: FOI release
Information requested
The total number of applications for criminal record checks received by Disclosure Scotland in the last year (2022), broken down by type of check and reason for application. Information regarding the number of criminal record check applications that were approved and denied in the last year (2022), broken down by type of check and reason for denial. Any reports or assessments conducted by Disclosure Scotland regarding the effectiveness of the current criminal record check system in Scotland, including any proposed or implemented changes to this system.
Response
I have answered each of your questions below.
The total number of applications for criminal record checks received by Disclosure Scotland in the last year (2022), broken down by type of check and reason for application.
Disclosure Scotland does not record the "reason" for applications. The purpose for an application will normally be indicated by its type. I have provided more information regarding application types below, followed by the requested figures.
Basic - these can be requested by anyone for any purpose with the consent of the individual to whom it relates. Standard - these are for positions where the employer is entitled to ask the “exempted question” that entitles them to view “spent” convictions. Enhanced – used by employers or agencies for a “prescribed purpose” for specific roles which can include suitability checks for roles working with children or adults that is not regulated work. PVG – used for any role involving regulated work with children or protected adults
Basic Standard Enhanced PVG OVERALL TOTAL Jan-22 21269 1241 275 23241 46026 Feb-22 22137 1392 281 24855 48665 Mar-22 28630 1461 373 27227 57691 Apr-22 22595 1410 989 21882 46876 May-22 24824 1671 3202 25994 55691 Jun-22 22244 1453 2782 27800 54279 Jul-22 21380 1881 2281 27845 53387 Aug-22 24338 1990 1471 28882 56681 Sep-22 23512 1623 838 29835 55808 Oct-22 24956 1712 676 29527 56871 Nov-22 26604 1466 560 28744 57374 Dec-22 17338 1527 576 20466 39907 TOTAL 279827 18827 14304 316298 629256
Information regarding the number of criminal record check applications that were approved and denied in the last year (2022), broken down by type of check and reason for denial.
Disclosure Scotland does not approve or deny applications; certificates are provided to employers for them to make a decision in which Disclosure Scotland has no input.
This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that Disclosure Scotland does not have the information you have requested. Any reports or assessments conducted by Disclosure Scotland regarding the effectiveness of the current criminal record check system in Scotland, including any proposed or implemented changes to this system.
Following a commitment made by Scottish Ministers in November 2016, Disclosure Scotland began a programme of engagement with its service users in early 2017. In due course, that led to a major consultation paper being issued in July 2018. You can find the Early Engagement Report, the consultation paper and Scottish Ministers’ response here: PVG Early Engagement, Consultation and Response.
Subsequently the Disclosure (Scotland) Bill was introduced in the Scottish Parliament on 12 June 2019. The Bill took forward the proposals from the earlier work and you can find the Bill and its associated documents here: Disclosure (Scotland) Bill. That link also gives access to the debates which took place as the Bill progressed through the Scottish Parliament. The Act that followed and the updated Explanatory Note are here: Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020.
Disclosure Scotland is now taking forward a programme of work to bring the 2020 Act into force. Our current Corporate Strategy gives more information about that: DS25 Corporate Strategy and Plan. About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.
Contact Please quote the FOI reference Central Enquiry Unit Email: ceu@gov.scot Phone: 0300 244 4000 The Scottish Government St Andrews House Regent Road Edinburgh EH1 3DG
Detected exemption language
This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that Disclosure Scotland does not have the information you have requested.
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