Legislation
We operate under three primary pieces of legislation:
- Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020
- Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007
- Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act 2019
Most of the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 came into force on 1 April 2025.
Together, these pieces of legislation support a modern, rights-based disclosure and barring system. This balances the need for public protection with the importance of fairness, rehabilitation and proportionality.
We contribute directly to the Scottish Government’s vision for a safe, fair and inclusive society by making sure that safeguarding arrangements are strong, trusted and ready for the future.