Latest news with #PVG
The Courier
3 days ago
- Business
- The Courier
Castle Huntly prisoners to work for Tayside Contracts across Dundee
Castle Huntly prisoners are to be given work placements across Dundee shortly before release. Tayside Contracts is one of more than 70 firms that has entered into a partnership with the prison. But the contractor insists the prisoners will not work in or around schools or anywhere requiring PVG (protecting vulnerable groups) clearance. The project is designed to support the rehabilitation of low-risk prisoners towards the end of their sentences. The work is expected to significantly enhance their chances to get work and integrate back into society. It's also designed to reduce the risk of reoffending. Tayside Contracts will provide work experience in a range of sectors, including construction, facilities management, and catering. The placements are designed to offer structured, meaningful work opportunities that build skills, foster personal responsibility and prepare individuals for life beyond prison. However, Tayside Contracts, which provides services in many of the region's schools, insists no prisoners would be placed in schools or any location where PVG checks are required. In addition, the firm told The Courier that full risk assessments would be undertaken by the Scottish Prison Service and Tayside Contracts prior to all placements. Tayside Contracts joint committee convener Steven Rome said: 'Research consistently shows that access to employment is one of the key factors in successful rehabilitation. 'By offering low-risk prisoners the chance to work with an established, reputable employer the partnership helps bridge the gap between the prison environment and gaining fulfilling employment.' The contractor says it plans to work with all participants to ensure they gain the skills needed for long-term employment. Councillor Rome, who represents Dundee North East (SNP), added: 'The partnership is a reflection of Tayside Contracts' ongoing commitment to making a positive impact in the community, whilst providing second chances for those looking to turn their lives around'. Marcus Whitehead, head of offender outcomes at HMP Castle Huntly said it was expanding the range of work placements available. He said: 'Work placements are crucial for people in custody as they allow for a managed and supported reintegration into the community. 'This ultimately gives them a better chance for success when they are released.'
Press and Journal
19-05-2025
- Press and Journal
Northfield mum warns new PVG rules on parent councils could spell the end of school discos
Parent councils across Aberdeen fear rigorous safety checks designed to keep kids safe could potentially spell the end for school discos and events. New rules for the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme mean anyone carrying out an activity – or who has contact with – children will need to apply for a check. These new rules were rolled out in April but a a three-month grace period was put in place. That means it will become a criminal offence for someone under that remit to not be signed up from July 1. While this change has been broadly welcomed, parent councils across Aberdeen fear the process involved could put people off from helping at crucial fundraising events. And this, they believe, could ultimately result in some parent groups folding. Chairwoman of Heathryburn Parent Council, Danielle Barclay, explained is worried fundraising events could end up paying the price. 'When we have a disco, we would offer tea and coffee in our dining area and children would be separate in the hall,' she explained. 'Now it means that if any parent wants to go from the dining hall into the gym hall, they would have to get a PVG.. That applies even if they want to be with their own child, because another child might come up to them. 'School discos are a real concern because essentially, you're going to have to PVG everybody who helps out.' Councillor Kate Blake worries it's an obstacle parent groups could do without. 'It's difficult enough getting people to help,' she told us. 'You'll need to get everybody through that process and a lot of parents will probably think it's not worth it – and won't want to go through all this just for a school disco.' Danielle also believes the change has come at the wrong time as parents are often busy with various school events and milestones. The frustrated mum said: 'You've got summer fairs, parents evening, reports, moving classes, kids finishing and transition… It all feels a bit much. 'We and other schools just try so hard to break down the barriers and it just feels like another one has come up.' She added: 'If some parent councils fold there won't be any of that.' So what will the parent council do to try and secure its future? 'Our plan is to PVG the core members that we know will stay now,' Danielle explained. 'And then we would have those people, and build on that…' At a recent council meeting, Mrs Blake asked for the grace deadline to be extended until the October break. She argued this would give parent groups more time to recruit volunteers and ensure PGVs are in place. The Labour member has urged the Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, Natalie Don-Innes, to listen to their plea. She said: 'Parent councils generally rely on a very small core group of volunteers, who have many other responsibilities. 'An extension would give time for new members to get to grips with the new responsibilities. 'The additional administrative burden may cause some parent councils to fold.' The scheme is being run by Disclosure Scotland, a government agency in charge of issuing PVG certificates. A spokeswoman stressed there is no blanket requirement for parents or school volunteers to be in the PVG scheme. She said: 'Whether a person has to join the PVG scheme depends on the role they are doing for the parent council. 'The law has extended the criteria to include people in the scheme who have power over children. This can include some, but not all, parent council members. 'This is to make sure that those holding that power do not have a known history of harmful behaviour towards children.' However, Disclosure Scotland doesn't believe extending the grace period would be a wise move. The spokeswoman explained that doing this would 'undermine child and adult protection'. But for now, Disclosure Scotland has published tailored guidance for parent run groups and has pledged to continue supporting them.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Council refused to hire ex-MSP over perjury conviction
Glasgow City Council refused to give former MSP Tommy Sheridan a job because of the "unacceptable level of risk" his perjury conviction posed, a court has heard. The former politician had applied to become a criminal justice social worker with Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership. However he was told in a letter that future applications for jobs with the organisation would not progress due to him serving three years in jail for perjury. In 2011 a jury at the High Court in Glasgow concluded the former MSP lied under oath during his successful defamation action against the News of the World newspaper. More stories from Glasgow & West Scotland More stories from Scotland Mr Sheridan received a job rejection letter from the council in August 2024, which said his conviction presented an "unacceptable level of risk" to the organisation. He then instructed lawyers to go to Scotland's highest civil court in a bid to get the decision overturned. His lawyer Mike Dailly told Lord Young the council acted unlawfully in its decision to permanently exclude Mr Sheridan from social work jobs. He said the body which regulates social work in Scotland - the Scottish Social Services Council - had assessed Mr Sheridan as being a suitable candidate for working in the profession. Mr Dailly said: "It's a simple matter - the petitioner has been assessed as being a fit person for the profession by the statutory social work body. He has also been assessed as being suitable to work with children and younger people under the PVG scheme. "The petitioner has been told he cannot be a social worker. However, the Scottish Parliament has allowed the SSSC the role and responsibility to determine who is a fit and proper person to be a social worker. "The SSSC says the petitioner is a fit and proper person. I say the decision made by the council is irrational - it cannot say the petitioner cannot be a social worker." Mr Sheridan wants Lord Young to pass legal orders stating that Glasgow City Council's decision was "unlawful" as it "permanently excluded" him from working in social work at the local authority. The former MSP posted online last summer about graduating from Glasgow Caledonian University after undertaking a two-year master's degree in social work. Mr Sheridan used to lead the Scottish Socialist Party which won a number of seats at Holyrood in 1999 and 2003 before collapsing following his high-profile court case. Since then he has remained involved in politics as a supporter of Scottish independence group Hope over Fear. He took the News of the World to court in 2006, alleging it defamed him after reporting claims about his private life. He netted £200,000 but he was later convicted of perjury during this civil action, and was sentenced to three years in jail. Glasgow City Council's lawyer Paul Reid KC told the court the local authority acted lawfully and were legally entitled to refuse employment to Mr Sheridan. He said the matter was an employment decision and could not be challenged by judicial review. Lord Young told the court that he wanted time to consider the matter, and he would issue a verdict in the near future.
The National
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Tommy Sheridan in court over case against Glasgow City Council
Lawyer Mike Dailly told judge Lord Young on Friday how the former politician was told this in a letter sent to him by Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership staff. The Court of Session heard that Sheridan had applied to become a criminal justice social worker with the Glasgow City Council initiative. In his application, he disclosed to his prospective employers he had been given a three year prison sentence in 2011 for perjury - a jury at the High Court in Glasgow concluded that he had lied on oath during his successful defamation action against the News of the World newspaper. READ MORE: Holyrood toilet rule change slammed as 'exclusionary' by trans rights campaigners The court heard that social work bosses then sent him a letter in August 2024 telling him the conviction presented an 'unacceptable level of risk' to Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership. More communications to Sheridan told him that future applications for jobs with the organisation would not be 'progressed'. This has prompted Sheridan to instruct lawyers to go to Scotland's highest civil court in a bid to get Glasgow City Council to overturn its decision. On Friday, Dailly told Lord Young that the council had acted unlawfully in its decision to permanently exclude Sheridan from social work jobs with the local authority. He said that the body which regulates social work in Scotland - the Scottish Social Services Council - had assessed Sheridan as being a suitable candidate for working in the profession. Dailly said: 'It's a simple matter - the petitioner has been assessed as being a fit person for the profession by the statutory social work body. He has also been assessed as being suitable to work with children and younger people under the PVG scheme. 'The petitioner has been told he cannot be a social worker. However, the Scottish Parliament has allowed the SSSC the role and responsibility to determine who is a fit and proper person to be a social worker. 'The SSSC says the petitioner is a fit and proper person. I say the decision made by the council is irrational - it cannot say the petitioner cannot be a social worker.' Dailly was speaking during a judicial review brought by Sheridan to the Court of Session. He wants Lord Young to pass legal orders stating that Glasgow City Council's decision was 'unlawful' as it 'permanently excluded' him from working in social work at the local authority. The lawyer also wants the decision made by Glasgow City Council in relation to Sheridan's job application to be overturned. (Image: Picture: Colin Mearns) The former MSP posted online last summer about graduating from Glasgow Caledonian University after undertaking a two-year master's degree in social work. Sources say he has applied for jobs in the profession but is unable to secure a position. Sheridan used to lead the Scottish Socialist Party which won a number of seats at Holyrood in 1999 and 2003 before collapsing following his high-profile court case where he was accused of being a swinger. Since then he has remained involved in politics as a supporter of Scottish independence group Hope over Fear., Sheridan served as an MSP for Glasgow between 1999 and 2007. He took the News of the World to court in 2006, alleging it defamed him after reporting he was an adulterer who visited swingers' clubs. He netted £200,000 but he was later convicted of lying in court during this civil action, and was sentenced to three years in jail. He has attempted to appeal his conviction but judges have upheld it. On social media last summer he revealed his future plans in response to a suggestion that he should stand again as an MSP in 2026. He posted: "I just graduated as a professional social worker from Glasgow Caledonian University after a two-year masters degree so I am applying for jobs in that profession just now but who knows what will come to pass by 2026.' On Friday, Sheridan turned up to the court to observe proceedings with his wife Gail and daughter Gabrielle. They heard Glasgow City Council's lawyer Paul Reid KC tell the court that Glasgow City Council acted lawfully and were legally entitled to refuse employment to Sheridan. Speaking about the assessment made by the SSSC about Sheridan, he said: 'It is a registration. It does not confer an entitlement to employment. 'Registration with the Law Society of Scotland does not confer an entitlement to employment as a solicitor - and registration with the General Medical Council doesn't confer an entitlement to work as a doctor.' Reid said the decision made by Glasgow City Council was an 'employment decision' and couldn't be challenged by judicial review. Lord Young told the court that he wanted time to consider the legal issues which lawyers had highlighted. He said he'd issue his decision sometime in the near future. He added: 'Clearly, this is an important matter.'
Glasgow Times
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Tommy Sheridan in court over case against Glasgow City Council
Lawyer Mike Dailly told judge Lord Young on Friday how the former politician was told this in a letter sent to him by Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership staff. The Court of Session heard that Mr Sheridan had applied to become a criminal justice social worker with the Glasgow City Council initiative. READ NEXT: 'Disgusting': Parents of tragic Kory McCrimmon fuming over sentence for son's killer READ NEXT: 'Beloved' founder of popular restaurant sadly dies In his application, he disclosed to his prospective employers he had been given a three year prison sentence in 2011 for perjury - a jury at the High Court in Glasgow concluded that he had lied on oath during his successful defamation action against the News of the World newspaper. The court heard that social work bosses then sent him a letter in August 2024 telling him the conviction presented an 'unacceptable level of risk' to Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership. More communications to Mr Sheridan told him that future applications for jobs with the organisation would not be 'progressed'. This has prompted Mr Sheridan to instruct lawyers to go to Scotland's highest civil court in a bid to get Glasgow City Council to overturn its decision. On Friday, Mr Dailly told Lord Young that the council had acted unlawfully in its decision to permanently exclude Mr Sheridan from social work jobs with the local authority. He said that the body which regulates social work in Scotland - the Scottish Social Services Council - had assessed Mr Sheridan as being a suitable candidate for working in the profession. Mr Dailly said: 'It's a simple matter - the petitioner has been assessed as being a fit person for the profession by the statutory social work body. He has also been assessed as being suitable to work with children and younger people under the PVG scheme. 'The petitioner has been told he cannot be a social worker. However, the Scottish Parliament has allowed the SSSC the role and responsibility to determine who is a fit and proper person to be a social worker. 'The SSSC says the petitioner is a fit and proper person. I say the decision made by the council is irrational - it cannot say the petitioner cannot be a social worker.' Mr Dailly was speaking during a judicial review brought by Mr Sheridan to the Court of Session. He wants Lord Young to pass legal orders stating that Glasgow City Council's decision was 'unlawful' as it 'permanently excluded' him from working in social work at the local authority. The lawyer also wants the decision made by Glasgow City Council in relation to Mr Sheridan's job application to be overturned. (Image: Picture: Colin Mearns) The former MSP posted online last summer about graduating from Glasgow Caledonian University after undertaking a two-year master's degree in social work. Sources say he has applied for jobs in the profession but is unable to secure a position. Mr Sheridan used to lead the Scottish Socialist Party which won a number of seats at Holyrood in 1999 and 2003 before collapsing following his high-profile court case where he was accused of being a swinger. Since then he has remained involved in politics as a supporter of Scottish independence group Hope over Fear., Mr Sheridan served as an MSP for Glasgow between 1999 and 2007. He took the News of the World to court in 2006, alleging it defamed him after reporting he was an adulterer who visited swingers' clubs. He netted £200,000 but he was later convicted of lying in court during this civil action, and was sentenced to three years in jail. He has attempted to appeal his conviction but judges have upheld it. On social media last summer he revealed his future plans in response to a suggestion that he should stand again as an MSP in 2026. He posted: "I just graduated as a professional social worker from Glasgow Caledonian University after a two-year masters degree so I am applying for jobs in that profession just now but who knows what will come to pass by 2026.' On Friday, Mr Sheridan turned up to the court to observe proceedings with his wife Gail and daughter Gabrielle. They heard Glasgow City Council's lawyer Paul Reid KC tell the court that Glasgow City Council acted lawfully and were legally entitled to refuse employment to Mr Sheridan. Speaking about the assessment made by the SSSC about Mr Sheridan, he said: 'It is a registration. It does not confer an entitlement to employment. 'Registration with the Law Society of Scotland does not confer an entitlement to employment as a solicitor - and registration with the General Medical Council doesn't confer an entitlement to work as a doctor.' Mr Reid said the decision made by Glasgow City Council was an 'employment decision' and couldn't be challenged by judicial review. Lord Young told the court that he wanted time to consider the legal issues which lawyers had highlighted. He said he'd issue his decision sometime in the near future. He added: 'Clearly, this is an important matter.'
