Interpretation of Disclosures
Contents of a Disclosure Certificate
Once you have completed and submitted your application including, where appropriate, sending it via your prospective employer or voluntary organisation, we will then process it through the Disclosure Scotland system. This includes carrying out searches against the Scottish Criminal History System (CHS) and the UK wide Police National Computer (PNC).
When our process has finished, the information relating to your application and criminal history will be included on a Disclosure Certificate. This will be sent to you, as the applicant, and for Standard and Enhanced Disclosures, a copy will also be sent to the Countersignatory within the Registered Body that you have applied to join as an employee or volunteer.
A sample of a Disclosure Certificate is available for your information on Pages 14 to 16 of the Applicants Guide.
Disclosure certificates issued by Disclosure Scotland normally have a unique 16 digit reference number towards the top right hand corner of the certificate. There are occasions, however, when a certificate will be issued with a shorter alphanumerical reference number. The reference number is still unique, system generated and will relate to the application submitted. If you have any concerns regarding a Disclosure or its authenticity then please Contact Us.
Plain English Translations of Conviction Information
Some employers and voluntary organisations have had difficulties interpreting conviction information contained in Disclosure Certificates. The translation provides brief information on the conviction, its appropriate enabling legislation and what, in effect, the conviction means.
Apex Scotland, in association with Disclosure Scotland and the Scottish Government, provides an advisory service to individuals, employers, voluntary organisations, etc. on how to interpret the information contained on Disclosure certificates. Information on the service is available HERE.
If you are still unsure and need further explanation, the Disclosure Units of each of the eight Scottish police forces also provide an interpretation service of the conviction information.
The Disclosure Units will provide an explanation of the offence only, not a summary of the facts of any particular case. Disclosure Scotland cannot provide any direct interpretation service.
Force |
Telephone Number |
Central Scotland Police |
01786 456237 |
Dumfries & Galloway Constabulary |
01387 252112 (then ask for Ext. 403231) |
Fife Constabulary |
01592 418565 |
Grampian Police |
01224 305185 |
Lothian & Borders Police |
0131 311 3522 |
Northern Constabulary |
01463 720262 |
Strathclyde Police |
0141 435 1209, 1210, 1211, 1212 |
Tayside Police |
01382 596656 |
