Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme (Sarah’s Law)

The Child Sex Offender’s Disclosure Scheme, also known as Sarah’s Law, allows anyone to formally ask the police if someone with access to a child has a record for child sexual offences.

What is the scheme?

If there is a need to pass information to someone in order to allow them to better protect a child, then we will disclose to whoever is in a position to use, or need, the information.

Although disclosure already takes place when children are deemed to be at risk, the scheme enables parents, guardians and third parties to apply directly for information themselves.

How do I apply for information?

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In all other circumstances which are not an emergency, you can request information relating to a child you are in a position to protect or safeguard:

• by phone — call 101
• in person — visit a police station

I want to know more

For more advice and information on protecting children from abuse:

• visit the Parents Protect website
• read the Home Office booklet on the scheme (PDF)
• read about what you can do if someone you know has been accessing indecent images of children online