Careers in social services: the role of Disclosure Scotland

Iriss.fm, Scotland's social services podcast

In this episode we speak to Andrew Morrall, Customer Engagement Manager at Disclosure Scotland, about the organisation’s safeguarding role and the different levels of disclosure used across social services, including PVG scheme membership.

We discuss why many social service workers will need to join the PVG scheme and Andrew provides advice to individuals about this, including for those concerned about previous convictions or other contact with criminal justice services.

He speaks of the importance of employers not viewing convictions in isolation, but instead looking at the whole person and their current circumstance

This will be interesting to individuals, employment support workers and employers who want to know more about disclosures, including PVG scheme membership.

Topics:

1. Different levels of disclosure and eligibility for each, including PVG scheme membership for individuals doing regulated work.

2. What PVG scheme membership costs, how long it takes to get a certificate and what information will appear on this.

3. Why some individuals may be more likely to have had contact with criminal justice services as a result of their life history and personal circumstances, and what they can do if concerned about information appearing on a certificate.

4. Why employers should look at the whole person and their current circumstances, and not just a conviction in isolation.

Resources

Scotland Works for You is a guide to evaluating the meaning of someone’s criminal record to a job or opportunity they’ve applied for. It’s also for people with convictions to help them make positive applications for employment. Professionals supporting people with convictions in seeking employment or other opportunities may also find it helpful.

A range of information about disclosure and criminal record checks is available on the mygov.scot website.

Safer Recruitment Through Better Recruitment is a guide for employers published by the Care Inspectorate and the Scottish Social Services Council. It emphasises values-based recruitment and details the processes which employers use to make sure they do not hire unsuitable people to work in care services with children or protected adults.

Transcript of episode.

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.