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Keeping Children Safe - Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme

For the first time, parents, carers and guardians of children under 18 can ask the police if the person who has contact with that child has a record for sexual offences against children, or other offences that could put that child at risk.

'Keeping Children Safe' is the latest development in child protection and protecting vulnerable members of society and means:

  • if it's found the person in question does pose a risk of causing harm to the child concerned, then information may be given to the parent, carer or guardian as a protective measure
  • if there is serious or immediate risk, then measures to protect that child will be taken immediately
  • generally, disclosure takes up to 45 days, but where immediate risks are identified, Central Scotland Police and its partner agencies would act straight away.

For your information, a Question and Answer section has been included in this area.

Keeping Children Safe poster

The scheme, which aims to protect children from sex offenders by allowing improved access to information, has been adopted across Central Scotland.

While Central Scotland Police has always put the protection of children at the heart of its policing, the setting up of the 'Keeping Children Safe' scheme provides an additional element of re-assurance to local communities.

Currently, the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) may disclose information about an offender's convictions to another person or group of people in circumstances where they believe it is necessary and proportionate to protect the public, including a child or children, from crime.

The implementation of 'Keeping Children Safe' means that - for the first time - parents, carers and guardians of children under 18, can ask the police if a person who has contact with that child has a record for sexual offences against children, or other offences that might put that child at risk.

Anyone wanting to raise a concern regarding a child in their care can do so directly by visiting their local police station or by calling Central Scotland Police on 01786 456000, where their call will be directed to the 'Keeping Children Safe' co-ordinator.

However, if you believe a child is in immediate danger, phone 999 and inform the operator.

What happens next?

As the parent, carer or guardian, you will be asked to fill in a form along with a police officer who will ask you to provide proof of your identity and address, including a photo ID.

You will also be asked to show documentation proving your relationship to the child in question. Ideally, you will need to show two forms of identification (one of which must be a photo ID), and these can be:

  • your passport
  • your driving licence
  • your birth certificate
  • your bank statement
  • your benefit award notice
  • a household utility bill

To provide proof of your relationship to the child you will need to show one of the following:

  • the child's birth certificate
  • the child's passport
  • the child benefit award notice letter

If photo ID is not available, the police will consider other forms of identification.

For further information on 'Keeping Children Safe', please go to our Question and Answer section or contact Central Scotland Police on 01786 456000. Alternatively you can visit the Official ACPOS Keeping Children Safe website.

Further Information

You can also obtain further information regarding the piloting of the scheme from the following Scottish Goverment reports:

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