Disclosure Scotland has launched an improved digital service
Stewart Rafferty, Customer Engagement Manager at Disclosure Scotland talks about how people now have more control over what is disclosed around convictions when they apply for jobs, volunteering and education opportunities
NOTE: The views expressed are of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Community Justice Scotland and other organisations that may be mentioned.
New legislation has been introduced to keep the public safe while recognising the need for people to move on from offending.
It aims to simplify the process for disclosing criminal history information – modernising and improving the system so that it’s easier for people to access online. It also helps employers make safer recruitment decisions.
Disclosure Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government providing criminal records disclosure services for employers and voluntary organisations and plays a key part in safeguarding Scotland’s people. The Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 aims to protect the public, while balancing the need for people to move on from offending and simplify the process for disclosing criminal history information, in particular through the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme.
At Disclosure Scotland we’ve improved our online digital service to support the changes in legislation implemented in April 2025 that were brought by the Disclosure Act.
All applications, for any level of disclosure, will now be made through Scottish Government’s Scot Account, meaning applicants have the opportunity to check the information and provide consent to Disclosure Scotland before it is released to any organisation. To help organisations and individuals use the Scot Account facility when making applications, Disclosure Scotland has produced short e-Learning guidance Online Account for Applicants | Rise 360.
Part of what I do in my role at Disclosure Scotland is to support organisations and individuals understand how the legislation affects them when applying for a disclosure check.
Recent changes in the law mean individuals have more rights to control their own information. Using our digital services makes that process more efficient and easier to access for individuals.
An important part of our customer engagement team’s role over the years is helping organisations and individuals understand what can be disclosed on each of the disclosure levels. It is important for people with convictions to understand what convictions must be disclosed. This will help applicants be more confident if asked to self-disclose as part of a recruitment application, including volunteering or education opportunities.
Disclosure Scotland leads the Scotland Works For You group which aims to improve the job opportunities for people with convictions. It produces guidance and support for individuals who’ve been involved in the justice system and looking to pursue opportunities in education, volunteering or employment where a disclosure certificate is required. The enhancements made to our digital service along with more control for individuals, provides an efficient and fairer disclosure process that provides Scotland’s people with the safeguarding as well as the opportunities they deserve.