Frequently Asked Questions
- If I have a criminal record does this mean I won't get the post applied for?
- How long are convictions valid?
- What are suitable forms of identification?
- Do foster carers and applicants for adoption require to be checked?
- I work at or out of a UK airport and require an airside pass. What part does Disclosure Scotland carry out in this process?
If I have a criminal record does this mean I won't get the post applied for?
Not necessarily. By the time an employer receives a disclosure certificate, they should have decided in principle whether or not to employ you.
Employers should consider any conviction disclosed in terms of its relevancy to the post in question. Unless there is a legislative bar, a conviction should not automatically disqualify you. You should bear in mind that, in some cases (such as working in a regulated position) you may be committing an offence by applying for such a post.
How long are convictions valid?
There is no formal period of validity for a conviction, though some convictions may be spent under rehabilitation of offender's legislation.
What are suitable forms of identification?
A full list of acceptable means of identification is listed below.
Three documents must be produced; one from Group 1 and two from Group 2. If this is not possible, then five documents from Group 2 must be produced– these must be in the name of the applicant. It is preferred that one of these documents contains photographic identification.
Group 1
- Valid passport (any nationality)
- UK Driving Licence Full or Provisional – England/Wales/Scotland/Northern Ireland/Isle of Man; either photocard or paper (a photocard is only valid if accompanied with the paper counterpart)
- Original UK birth certificate (issued within 12 months of date of birth, full or short form acceptable)
- Valid photo identity card (EU countries only)
- UK Firearms licence
- HM Forces ID card (UK)
- Adoption Certificate (UK)
Group 2
- Marriage certificate/Civil Partnership Certificate
- Non-original UK birth certificate (issued after 12 months of date of birth, full or short form acceptable)
- P45/P60 statement
- Utility bill (electricity, gas, water, telephone – including mobile phone contract/bill)
- Valid TV licence
- Credit card statement
- Store card statement
- Mortgage statement
- Valid insurance certificate
- Certificate of British nationality
- British work permit/visa**
- Asylum Registration Card
- Personal correspondence or a document from a Government Department*
- Bank or Building Society Document**
- Financial statement e.g. pension, endowment, ISA **
- Valid vehicle registration document
- Mail order catalogue statement*
- Court summons
- Valid NHS card
- Court Claim Form
- Addressed payslip*
- National insurance number card
- Examination certificate (e.g. GCSE, NVQ)
- Letter from a Head Teacher*
- Child benefit book
* documentation must be less than 3 months old
** must be issued within the last 12 months
Do foster carers and applicants for adoption require to be checked?
Yes, and each person in the household who is over age 16 needs to be checked. A separate fee will be payable for each application.
Further information should be available from the agencies arranging the foster care or adoption services.
I work at or out of a UK airport and require an airside pass. What part does Disclosure Scotland carry out in this process?
In April 2003 the Department for Transport (DfT) issued an instruction that any new employees recruited, to work airside at a UK Airport, must first produce a Basic Disclosure in order to obtain their Airside, or Restricted Zone (RZ) Pass. In July 2003, this instruction was extended to cover existing staff. All staff currently requiring an airside pass will need to produce a Basic Disclosure either prior to their pass being renewed between 1st July 2003 and 31st July 2004 or in order to retain their airside pass if the pass is not due for renewal between these dates.
The only source of a Basic Disclosure at this time is Disclosure Scotland.
The Service Level Agreement for Basic Disclosures is 14 calendar days. If you need to apply for a Basic Disclosure, to receive or retain an Airside Pass, you should ensure you begin the application process at least 14 days before you require to receive, renew, or retain the pass.
The Basic Disclosure is designed for individual use only. One copy is produced and this is posted to the address you nominate as your current address on the application form. The DfT are requesting that individuals then show their Disclosure to their employer and/or the pass issuer in order to check for Disqualifying Criteria. The DfT laid down the Disqualifying Criteria.
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 will be applied to Basic Disclosures. This means that only unspent convictions will be disclosed. You may have been convicted of a disqualifying offence but if it is spent, you will not lose your pass. To apply for a Basic Disclosure you should obtain an Application Form either from your employer, or directly from Disclosure Scotland. You can also apply online via this website. Apply now.
Considerations
- Make sure you apply at least 14 days before you require the Disclosure.
- Make sure you complete the Application Form (see Application Process for further advice). Incomplete details can delay your Disclosure.
- Where is your current home address? If you live overseas or in communal property will your Disclosure arrive safely and on time? Disclosure Scotland posts all Disclosures by first class, UK mainland mail. If you think there may be a problem receiving your Disclosure it may be safer to nominate for it to be dispatched via your employer. If you want to do this, simply complete the relevant details in the appropriate section on the Application form. If you are applying on-line, you should enter the Resident from Date, as the date you are making the Application, not the date you started work. You can then continue to provide at least five years home address history.
- Can Disclosure Scotland authenticate you as an individual at your current home address? We do this by checking the electoral roll and various other official records. If we cannot confirm your identity, the processing of your Disclosure will be delayed. To assist with this you can include a copy of official documentation sent to you at your home address e.g. a Utility Bill or Bank Statement.
Advice to Airside Employers
Have you considered becoming a Responsible Body? This allows you to pay for Disclosures by monthly invoice and assists with the authentication issue, thus speeding up the process and helping to track your applications. It would also be helpful to have a nominated person within your organisation to act as the liaison between Disclosure Scotland and your employees. This person could build up expertise in Disclosure processing and assist with answering any common queries that arise. To get more details on this Contact Us
