Regulator Reminds Registrants In Scotland About PVG Start Date

Children's Minister Adam Ingram has confirmed that Scotland's Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme will go live on 28 February 2011.


The Scheme had been due to start last November but Ministers took the decision to postpone its introduction to ensure the system which supports it is fully fit for purpose and robust.


All dental professionals in the UK must be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC) and follow our 'Standards for dental professionals' which is available on our website. This document lays out six key principles that dental professionals should apply to their daily work. Principle 5 tells registrants to 'maintain their professional knowledge and competence'. It goes on to say in principle 5.4 that registrants must 'find out about laws and regulations which affect your work, premises, equipment and business and follow them.'


The GDC will have a legal obligation to share information about GDC registrants with the PVG Scheme. It is waiting to be advised as to exactly what information it will have to share, but it is likely to be anything which could indicate that a registrant poses a risk to children or vulnerable adults. The GDC may also receive information about its registrants from the Scheme. It has already been decided by Council that such information should not result in automatic erasure from the register, but should be considered as an allegation of impaired fitness to practise through the usual channels.


The GDC is looking carefully at how the PVG will affect registrants and what role the Council will play. It is liaising with other regulators and working out how best to share relevant information alongside existing guidance on protecting patients.


Employers will be sent supplies of the new PVG Scheme application forms and be kept up to date with progress by the Scottish Government. A help service is available on 0870 609 6006 or registrants can email pvg.enquiriesscotland.gsi.go.uk A comprehensive package of training and guidance is already available here.


Notes


- A similar scheme for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (the Independent Safeguarding Authority's Vetting and Barring Scheme) has been undergoing a review, the results of which were published earlier this month and can be found on the Home Office website No date has yet been set to implement this scheme.