Christmas Rant Number 94

Disclosure Scotland Guidelines on Santa Claus

It’s expected that such a position will involve contact with children. As a consequence, you have to determine whether or not the position is a child care position in terms of the Protection of Children (Scotland) Act 2003 (PoCSA) as amended and this can depend on the nature of the arrangements put in place by the employers, or those wishing individuals to act as Santa. Details of PoCSA and what constitutes a child care position are available on the Publications Page of our website.

It’s important to note that simply having access or contact with children does not mean that the position is a child care position and is capable of being Disclosure checked at Enhanced level. At one extreme, if you wish to employ a Santa for work in a shopping centre or store for a prolonged period (e.g. four weeks), you would have to (1) consider whether or not the role involves Santa having sole charge of children or that he has unsupervised contact with children AND (2) that this forms part of the position’s normal duties.

From the Disclosure Scotland website

Hmm. Aren't you glad that such organisations exist to guide us through the minefield of life? The opening sentence - it's expected that such as position will involve contact with children - is particularly helpful. I'm sure the likes of Jenners store in Edinburgh will be looking at that and thinking 'damn - that never occurred to us. We'll have to give Santa the sack....unless, of course, he's got a Claus in his contract'

In other news, it has been alleged that bears defecate in the woods and it is believed the Pope may have Catholic leanings...