Disclosure Scotland fees - discounting waivers and accredited bodies: consultation analysis

Conclusion

Key Findings

Overall, the consultation attracted a high volume of responses, both from individuals and organisations. While this included a wide range of experiences, the representativeness of respondents is not known and feedback related to specific demographic groups risks were likely underrepresented.

Respondents who answered questions on the proposal on support for people in receipt of certain benefits were generally supportive but there was a significant group of people opposed, and concerns expressed about practical implementation. That position was similar for proposals to discount PVG scheme membership for care experienced young people, with calls for additional work on the practical elements, trauma-informed processes and broader support to be factored in.

There was a high level of opposition to the proposal to move from a full fee waiver to a discount for volunteers in Qualifying Voluntary Organisations. This reflects a high level of response and interest from volunteer involved organisations ensuring their views were heard in the consultation and engagement process. The current pressures on charity budgets and increasing costs across the board were raised. It was generally viewed that the proposal risked undermining the Volunteering Action Plan and work to improve access to formal volunteering.

An inflationary increase for accredited body registration fees did not attract any new themes or issues against previous consultation on this topic. Raising fees is not generally popular, however there was a significant level of understanding that fees had been frozen since 2011 and some increase was required and expected.

There was significant misunderstanding across all questions, apart from Question 7 on volunteers with Qualifying Voluntary Organisations. This is to be looked at as part of the lessons learned exercise for this aspect of the Disclosure Act Implementation Programme to ensure clearer understanding of future consultation and engagement work.

Next Steps

We are using feedback from the consultation responses to support and inform the development of fee regulations under the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 and the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007.

The Scottish Government is expecting to provide an update for stakeholders on fee levels and discounting in January 2025. Fee regulations and impact assessments are expected to be laid, subject to parliamentary timetabling, in February 2025.