Keeping Children Safe

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Information disclosure about child sexual offenders

Community disclosure is now running in the Tayside Police Force area. This provides a formal route for the public to directly raise child protection concerns and be confident that action will follow.

From 21 September 2009, parents, carers or guardians of children under 18 years old will be able to request information regarding named individuals who have access to their children , where they have some concern.

This pilot enables parents, carers or guardians to enquire whether a person who has access to their child, is a registered sex offender, or poses a risk to that child. Although each case will be considered separately, in consultation with partner agencies, disclosure will only be made to those people who are in a position to best protect or safeguard a child of the parent, guardian or carer.

The pilot scheme builds on existing procedures to proactively manage sex offenders by Public Protection Units under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA). Disclosure will only take place where children are deemed to be at risk.

From 21 September 2009, anyone living in Tayside , who meets the above criteria , will be able to make an application to obtain information regarding a named person who has contact with their children. The person they are enquiring about must also stay in the Tayside area.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does this start?
The Pilot started on 21 September 2009.

What do I do if I have concerns now?
Should you have any concerns contact Tayside Police on 0300 111 2222 and your information will be dealt with through the community disclosure procedures. If you feel there is immediate danger to a child phone 999 and inform the operator.

How do I contact the Police about the scheme?
You can speak to any Police Officer, call into any Police Station , or phone the Tayside Police Single Non- Emergency Contact Number - 0300 111 2222.

Inform them you are enquiring regarding Keeping Children Safe. You will be asked a number of questions and will be informed that a disclosure officer will contact you shortly regarding your request. If you feel there is immediate danger to a child phone 999 and inform the operator.

What happens next?
To be given any information about a person under the pilot you must be a parent, carer, or guardian. You will then be asked to fill in a form with a police officer. This will happen when you first contact the police if you go to the police station, or at a later time , if you contact the force in another way.

You will need to provide proof of your identity and address, including a photo ID. You will also need to show documentation that shows your relationship to the child in question. Ideally, you will need to show two forms of identification (one of which must be a photo ID ). These can be:

your passport;
your driving licence;
a household utility bill;
your bank statement;
your benefit award notice; or
your birth certificate.

To establish your relationship with the child you will need to show one of the following:

the child's birth certificate;
the child's passport; or
the child benefit award notice letter

However, if photo ID is not available, the police will consider other forms of ID.

What if I am not the parent, carer or guardian?
Concerns raised by grandparents, friends and those associated with the family as well as concerns from family members will be checked. This is part of the normal child protection procedures in place and happens in all areas across the country.

This information is provided by the Social Work Department