This Order brings into force certain provisions of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 (“the Act”). Article 2(1) brings into force, on 1st September 2007, all the provisions of the Act listed in the Schedule to the Order.

The commencement of section 82 of the Act amends the definition of “school care accommodation service” within the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 (asp 8) to include the provision of residential accommodation within domestic premises to a pupil both during and outwith term time for the purpose of, or in connection with, the pupil’s attendance at school. The commencement of section 83 of the Act removes such school care accommodation from the scope of Part 3 of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 (asp 5), thus disapplying the fire safety duties in Part 3 for individuals providing such accommodation on domestic premises.

The power is brought into force for the Scottish Ministers to make a staff transfer order to transfer Disclosure Scotland staff into the Scottish Administration (section 86). Some consequential amendments and repeals in Schedule 4 to the Act, relating to the Teaching Council (Scotland) Act 1965 (c. 19), are brought into force by section 88. The interpretation provision in section 97(1) is also brought into force.

This is the first Commencement Order in respect of the Act. Part 7 (sections 98 to 102) came into force on Royal Assent (18th April 2007).