Statutory guidance

Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme

How frontline officers and those who work in the area of public protection must apply the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme.

Documents

Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme

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Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (Welsh)

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Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (British Sign Language)

Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (easy read)

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Details

This guidance provides information about:

  • checks to be completed
  • a set of minimum standards of information to be obtained from the applicant
  • suggested forms of wording for communicating outcomes at each stage of the disclosure scheme process
  • recommended minimum levels of knowledge and experience required by practitioners to discharge functions within the disclosure scheme effectively

The guidance was updated following a consultation on the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme guidance.

Published 16 July 2012
Last updated 16 August 2023 + show all updates
  1. Easy read version added.

  2. British Sign Language and Welsh translations added.

  3. Accessible version added.

  4. Title page: removed the disclaimer saying the guidance has no legal effect, following the commencement of Section 77 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

  5. Updated guidance based on the results of the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme consultation.

  6. Updated guidance published.

  7. First published.