Disclosure Scotland fees: discounting, waivers and accredited bodies consultation

Employability- Is the current fee a barrier to employability for someone on benefits?
Would a discounted fee encourage people on benefits to apply for positions they might not otherwise apply for?
Would hiring employers who cover the cost of PVG for new employees be more likely to hire someone currently on benefits to fulfil a role in which they require a PVG if the fee was reduced?

Affordability - Paying a full fee like this upfront might discourage people on benefits from engaging with organizations that require PVG checks.

Too many qualifying criteria, such as option two would likely lead to this group of people understanding or becoming confused by what qualifies them for the discount which may discourage application in the first place.

Volunteers provide an unmatched and frankly unmatchable amount of support to all charitable organizations. No charitable organisation could properly function without them.

Many volunteers are out of work, on benefits, elderly, retired and/or disabled. It is vital that these already vulnerable groups are not excluded as a result of fees for PVG.

Disclosure Scotland, as well as the Scottish Government have a responsibility to ensure that as few barriers are placed in the way of volunteers as possible to allow these vulnerable people access to volunteering opportunities that may form a real lifeline for them. They also need to consider the implications that the charities will face when additional fees become another added pressure when recruiting volunteers.

Although a good deal of volunteers stay long-term in the voluntary sector, many might try something out and find its not for them. Asking them, or the charity or voluntary group they are part of to pay a fee for something that they might not stick at long-term is outrageous.

Fees seem reasonable and proportionate to what is being suggested.