New safeguarding Act delayed
The new Disclosure (Scotland) Act implementation is predicted to slip to April 2025
The Disclosure (Scotland) Act is now predicted to be fully implemented by 1 April 2025, rather than in 2024 as previously reported.
The new law aims to make the disclosure process in Scotland simpler and easier to understand, as well as keeping vulnerable groups safer.
The Act, focussed on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, will reduce the number of disclosure levels. This is in addition to giving Disclosure Scotland new powers to impose conditions on individuals while they are being considered for listing. Applicants will be able to request a review of certain disclosure content from an independent reviewer.
One significant change will be the replacement of lifetime PVG scheme membership
The impact for dental practices at this stage “looks to be minimal,” according to the British Dental Association (BDA).
But it said that one significant change will be the replacement of lifetime Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme membership with a five-year membership period. This means that practice owners will need to check the PVG membership status of staff every five years.
BDA members can find further information in the safeguarding patients’ advice or contact its practice support team on 020 7935 0875.
One-to-one advice is also available to Extra and Expert members.
You can find more information from Disclosure Scotland regarding the changes to the disclosure system alongside a summary of the 2020 Act.
Safguarding is one of the key topics included within the Education Programme at the Scottish Dental Show 2024 (Friday 31 May – Saturday 1 June, Braehead Arena, Glasgow).
Comments are closed here.