Scotland’s invisible shield on National Child Exploitation Awareness Day

17 March – On National Child Exploitation Awareness Day, Disclosure Scotland is drawing attention to the vital role it plays in protecting the most vulnerable members of society. 

National Child Exploitation Awareness Day highlights issues surrounding Child Exploitation, encouraging everyone adopt a zero-tolerance approach to adults developing inappropriate relationships with children. 

Disclosure Scotland manages the PVG scheme, which covers roles across many sectors including education, healthcare, social care, and sport.  

This year Disclosure Scotland has processed 70,644 PVG checks and barred 174 individuals from undertaking regulated roles with children and protected adults, forming an invisible shield between vulnerable groups and those who could cause harm. 

Disclosure Scotland helps ensure that individuals with relevant convictions, cautions, or other concerning information are identified before they take up positions that involve working closely with vulnerable groups, such as children or protected adults. 

Chief Executive Gerard Hart said:   

“The PVG Scheme includes hundreds of thousands of dedicated workers providing Scotland’s most crucial and protective services. Disclosure Scotland checks each one of them, making sure nothing appears on their record making them unsuitable. In this way, we aim to instil confidence in Scotland’s vital public services on National Child Exploitation Awareness Day, and every day.”