Criminal record checks for coronavirus (COVID-19) response workers
Some workers carrying out work in Scotland can get a free disclosure. To do so they must meet the criteria for coronavirus response workers.
If the worker is carrying out work in England or Wales they should apply through the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Your employer may not accept a basic disclosure check if it's from the wrong service.
Who is a coronavirus response worker
A coronavirus response worker is someone who meets all 3 criteria:
- They must only need a disclosure because of their coronavirus work.
- Their role must only exist in response to coronavirus.
- They must be working in a qualifying sector.
If you need someone in that role anyway for work not normally about coronavirus, you'll still need to pay.
If you complete a coronavirus response worker application but the worker does not meet all 3 criteria, or the worker is not carrying out work in Scotland:
- Disclosure Scotland will not process the application and will return it
- you'll have to complete a new application and pay for it
Qualifying sectors
You must meet all 3 criteria for a coronavirus response worker. This includes working in one of the qualifying sectors.
The qualifying sectors are:
- healthcare (including dental care)
- pharmaceutical
- childcare
- social work
- social care
- prisons, law and order, and justice
- education (early years, primary and secondary)
- emergency services
- critical national infrastructure
- energy and water supply
- defence
- local and central government public services
- environmental protection
- animal health and welfare
- funeral services
- medicines and pharmaceutical supply
- food supply and food processing
- chemical supply
- telecommunications
- public transport
- postal and delivery services
- financial services
- food retail
Applications for coronavirus response workers
To apply for a coronavirus response worker through Disclosure Scotland, the worker or volunteer must be carrying out work in Scotland.
Online
Coronavirus response volunteers or workers workers carrying out work in Scotland can apply for most type of disclosure online:
- basic disclosure
- PVG scheme disclosures (except people who are self-employed or work for a personal employer
By email
For some types of disclosure you'll need to complete a digital form and send it to Disclosure Scotland:
- standard and enhanced disclosure
- joining the PVG scheme as self-employed or working for a personal employer
- existing members of the PVG scheme who are self-employed or work for a personal employer
Email completed forms to COVID19@disclosurescotland.gov.scot.
Disclosure Scotland will accept an electronic signature from the applicant and countersignatory. Either a typewritten or scanned signature is valid. There's no need to print and sign a form by hand.
All qualifying voluntary organisations (QVOs) enrolled with Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services (VSDS) should follow VSDS processes.
Payment
You do not have to pay for disclosures about coronavirus response workers. This will remain in place until midnight on Friday 25 March 2022.
Refunds
If you submitted and paid for a disclosure for a coronavirus response worker, you can get a refund.
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