Changes to the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme have now come into effect.
As of Wednesday 1 April 2026, the PVG scheme now involves a five year membership. This change aims to help create a safer, more accurate system, which better reflects who is actively carrying out regulated roles, and gives organisations the confidence that their records are up to date and data is secure.
Important points from Volunteer Scotland and Disclosure Scotland:
- Five year membership does not affect your current application processes. Do not apply for a PVG scheme application earlier than your normal process or change how often you would apply.
- There is no added costrelated to five year membership.
- Anyone who makes a PVG scheme application from Wednesday 1 April 2026 will be automatically entered into the five year PVG scheme.
- Those who do not make an application will be moved to the five year PVG scheme by Disclosure Scotland. This will be done in batches in order of the date you joined. You do not need to do anything, and Disclosure Scotland will contact scheme members before they intend to move you. This work will not start immediately; Disclosure Scotland will let you know when they expect it to begin.
Disclosure Scotland’s email notifications will be updated to reflect the five year membership period; an example of the email notification is available on the Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services (VSDS) update page (linked for your convenience), where the individual’s membership expires on 1 May 2031.
Disclosure Scotland has published an online FAQ to help support groups and individuals through the changes.
For further information and details on all updates, please visit the dedicated Disclosure updates page on the Volunteer Scotland website.
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