Understanding the Changes: The Regulated Roles with Children and Adults (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025

The Scottish Government is making important updates to how roles involving children and protected adults are regulated, aiming to bolster safety and clarity under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007.

Key Updates:

1. Expanded Definition of Contact:

   • The definition of 'contact' now explicitly includes visual communication, like British Sign Language. This change ensures that all forms of interaction are covered, particularly in roles involving children and protected adults.

2. New Activities and Professions:

   • The list of activities that qualify as regulated roles has grown, including new healthcare professions such as anaesthesia associates and pharmacy technicians. This ensures that emerging roles are appropriately regulated.

3. Unsupervised Contact Reintroduced:

   • Unsupervised contact with protected adults is back on the table, particularly in care-related settings. This mirrors existing rules for children, emphasizing the importance of supervision in vulnerable situations.

4. Training and Study Provisions:

   • Training or studying for a regulated role, whether in Scotland or overseas under a Scottish institution's supervision, now also requires PVG Scheme membership.

5. Exclusions:

   • Certain interactions, like those within family or personal relationships, remain outside the scope of regulated roles, ensuring that everyday personal and familial interactions are not over-regulated.

Why These Changes Matter:

• Safety First: By expanding and clarifying who needs to be part of the PVG Scheme, the regulations aim to enhance the protection of vulnerable individuals in Scotland.
• Modernization: Including new professions ensures that the regulatory framework keeps pace with the evolving landscape of care and professional roles.
• Clearer Guidelines: These changes aim to eliminate ambiguity, making it easier for individuals and organizations to understand their responsibilities.

Consultation and Impact:

• The changes were informed by extensive consultations with stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, legal bodies, and advocacy groups. This collaborative approach ensures that the regulations are well-rounded and practical.
• Impact assessments have been conducted to ensure the changes are fair, and they concluded that there are minimal financial implications for businesses and individuals.

In summary, these amendments represent a significant step towards enhancing the protection and welfare of children and protected adults in Scotland, aligning regulatory practices with modern needs and ensuring comprehensive coverage of all relevant roles.