New Quality improvement framework for the early learning and childcare sectors is published

We are delighted to announce we have now published the new shared Quality improvement framework for the early learning and childcare sectors. You can access the new framework here.

This final version of the framework, developed jointly by the Care Inspectorate and HM Inspectors, will be used in inspection of all early learning and childcare services, including childminders and school age childcare settings, from Monday 22 September 2025.

New legislation from Disclosure Scotland

On 1 April 2025, the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 was enacted and the PVG scheme became a legal requirement for anyone carrying out a regulated role. Staff and volunteers carrying out a regulated role must be members of the PVG scheme, and providers employing them (paid or unpaid) must have received a PVG scheme disclosure before the staff member or volunteer commences their regulated role. It is not sufficient for the application to have been started, you must have received the disclosure from Disclosure Scotland before the individual can begin their regulated role. You will find a list of roles which currently need a PVG here.

The Care Inspectorate and the SSSC support implementation of the new legislation from Disclosure Scotland. Providers must ensure staff are recruited in line with legislative requirements, and to ensure that unsuitable people cannot carry out a regulated role.

However, it is only the regulated role aspect of the role that cannot be undertaken before the PVG is received. That means any of the listed ‘regulated activities’ within Schedules 2 and 3 of the PVG Act must not be done prior to the PVG being shared with the provider. That might mean individuals can do their in office training or induction while the PVG is awaiting processing, as long as service users are not involved.