Disclosure Scotland waives background check fees for workers hired to combat coronavirus

Fees paid to conduct background checks are to be scrapped for those being recruited to fight the coronavirus outbreak.

Disclosure Scotland, which carries out the protecting vulnerable groups (PVG) checks, announced an initial six-week stoppage to the fees, which could be extended further.

The changes come after Disclosure announced plans to only process applications made from workers deemed critical to the Covid-19 response.

Under the scheme, those who work in the healthcare sector, including pharmaceutical and social care staff, will be exempt from the charges, along with new starts in the justice sector, including those who will be working in prisons.

Childcare and social work staff are also included on the list, which is under review and subject to change if new sectors are identified.

A Scottish Government-backed agency, Disclosure Scotland carries out checks on those who will encounter children or vulnerable adults during their working lives, or through volunteering.

To join the scheme, individuals or employers are charged £59, according to Scottish Government website mygov.scot.

Children and young people minister Maree Todd (pictured) said: “Disclosure Scotland is responsible for safeguarding the country’s children and vulnerable adults and it’s important that, even at a time like this, their vital work continues.

“Temporarily removing disclosure fees in a crisis has never been done before but the Scottish Government is committed to making it as easy as possible to get vital workers to where they are needed most.”

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