A Practical Guide to Test Purchasing in Scotland

Example forms for use by those engaged in age restricted sales test purchasing

October 2007
Example forms for those agencies involved in the conduct of test purchasing operations involving child or young persons and the sale of age restricted products / goods

Test Purchasing Example Forms

Overall Consent & Risk Assessment Form
Nightly Consent form
Pre-visit Premises Risk Assessment
Checklist for Child or Young Person Volunteers
Specimen certificate for participation

Test Purchasing
Overall Consent and Risk Assessment Form

Part A - Consent Form Details

Note: The purpose of this agreement is to ensure that the parent/guardian and child or young person are aware of what the Officers intend to do. Detailed below are some of the safeguards involved

1. The child or young person will be fully trained in what to say and do. The child or young persons parent/guardian may attend the training session(s). The child or young person will be told to tell the truth at all times.

2. At least one (same sex) officer will supervise the child or young person at all times.

3. The child or young person will not be asked to make test purchases in any areas where he/she is likely to be recognised.

4. In any exercise, the child or young person's welfare is paramount. The nature of the child or young person's involvement in the exercise will not be revealed whilst the child or young person is on the premises, unless the officer is of the opinion that the child or young person's welfare is at risk. The officer will intervene at any time where the child or young person's welfare is at risk.

5. The child or young person's identity will not be revealed in any subsequent publicity.

6. Appropriate refreshments and travelling expenses will be provided.

7. This exercise may result in legal proceedings.

8. All efforts will be made to avoid that the child or young person will not be required to attend court as a witness. However, in exceptional circumstances, this may still occur.

9 The parent/guardian will provide a witness statement to confirm the child or young person's date of birth, if required.

10. A parental consent form will be required on each occasion where the child or young person is involved.

11. In the interest of the child or young person's well being each officer involved in the exercise has had a Disclosure Scotland check carried out.

Part B - Risk Assessment

Under The Health and Safety (Young Persons) Regulations 1997, where a child or young person is younger than the minimum school leaving age ( MSLA) the following information should be made available to a parent of the child or young person. This following is the 'relevant and comprehensible' information required under the Regulations.

A Risk Assessment taking into account the child or young person's-

• Inexperience
• Lack of awareness
• Immaturity

Significant hazards to which the child or young person may be exposed during the course of the test-purchasing programme of visits are:

Risk of discomfort at being involved in an adult working environment; risk of verbal abuse from shopkeeper; risk of child or young person being involved in Court proceedings; risk of being recognised with any resultant repercussions.

The control measures in place to minimise the risks associated with the above hazards are:

The child or young person will be trained carefully and has had every facet of the operation explained. The child or young person will be supervised at all times during the operation. A 'same sex' officer will accompany the child or young person during the operation, their only role being the safety and welfare of the child or young person. An officer will intervene in any circumstances where the shopkeeper becomes abusive. If the child or young person, at ANY time, feels that they do not wish to continue, then they will be immediately returned to their home/school. The child or young person will never give any details that will identify him/her. The child or young person will always test purchase outwith their own area and never under circumstances where there is a risk of them being recognised. The child or young person will be fully briefed on what to say, and will ALWAYS tell the truth, other than to requests to reveal their identity. Each officer involved in the exercise has had a Disclosure Scotland check carried out.

Provision of assistance by child or young person for test purchasing
Nightly consent form

Pre-visit Premises Risk Assessment
Pre- test purchase visit risk assessment sheet

Checklist for child or young person volunteers test purchasing age restricted products

1. If at ANY time you no longer wish to be involved, even if that occurs while out doing the test purchasing, then it will stop and you will be returned to your school or home.

2. There will be an officer accompanying you (called your 'buddy') whose only role will be to ensure your wellbeing

3. You will never test purchase in your own area and must say if you feel there is a chance you may be recognised if test purchasing in a certain shop.

4. At all times during the test purchase operation your identity will not be revealed other than among the officers involved.

5. You should dress as you normally would at the time of day when the test purchasing is taking place. Clothes, hair and make-up should not be used to make you appear older or younger than your current age.

6. As far as possible you will be told what to say to the shopkeeper. You should always tell the truth to the shopkeeper, including if he asks you whether you are involved in test purchasing. If the shopkeeper asks whether anyone is with you, you may identify the officer(s) in the shop. You must never answer questions that will reveal your name or address. Simply tell the shopkeeper you have to go and leave the premises.

7. Upon entering the shop you should not have money other than that given to you by the officers and you should not have any products already on your person. You will be asked to hand over any money or other products before the test purchasing (to the buddy). For the purposes of any court case you will be asked to turn your pockets out before and after each test purchase.

8. You will be photographed on the day of the test purchasing.

9. You will be provided with any meals drinks and snacks.

Thank you for volunteering for test purchasing. The Trading Standards Service welcomes your assistance.

Contact numbers during test purchasing -

Specimen certificate for participation