Disclosure Section

Part V of the Police Act 1997 introduced a system of disclosing criminal history and non-conviction information to individuals, prospective employers and voluntary organisations, for employment and other purposes.

The aim is to enhance public safety and to assist employers and voluntary organisations in assessing the suitability of applicants for particular posts and therefore making safer recruitment decisions so as to:

"Protect society against those who may seek to abuse a position of trust"

In particular;

Children under the age of 18
Vulnerable Adults, including the elderly, sick, disabled, and those in drug/alcohol rehabilitation
Applicants for certain gaming and lotteries licences

Disclosure Scotland

In 2002, a Disclosure bureau was established within what is now known as the Scottish Police Services Authority, for the purpose of issuing Disclosure Certificates. This service is known as 'Disclosure Scotland' and the Scottish police Services Authority is responsible for issuing three levels of Disclosure Certificates, known as basic, standard and enhanced disclosures.

Each of Scotland's eight police forces was required to set up Disclosure Units to establish a single point of contact with Disclosure Scotland. The Northern Constabulary unit was set up in March 2001 and operates from Force Headquarters in Inverness.