Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) in Scotland: National Overview Report 2024-2025

10. Sex Offender Community Disclosure Scheme

The Sex Offender Community Disclosure Scheme (Keeping Children Safe) was introduced across Scotland in 2011 and is managed by Police Scotland.

The scheme enables parents, carers or guardians to make a formal request for information about a named person who may have contact with their child if they are concerned that the person may be a risk to their child's safety and wellbeing.

For the year 2024-2025, Police Scotland received a total of 447 applications, an increase of 155 from the previous year. Online submission was the preferred method of application with 420 received this way - an increase of 149 from the previous business year.

Each application submitted is carefully reviewed and risk assessed by specialist officers, including consideration of whether there is material to disclose. These processes help ensure potentially direct or indirect risks towards children are identified quickly and progressed by Police Scotland. Of the 447 applications received, a total of 24 progressed for disclosure – 8 of which were in relation to concerns around an RSO. Following consideration of applications received, there are a number of circumstances where information is not disclosed by the Police, including: where the applicant has already taken steps or is taking steps to protect the child; where the relationship between applicant and subject has changed since the application was first submitted and the risk is no longer present; or the information is disclosed by another agency, such as JSW.

The scheme remains a proactive tool in protecting children, providing a clear access route for the public to raise potential child protection concerns and allowing parents/carers to make informed action to safeguard their children or indeed provide reassurance.