As many will be aware, the majority of the provisions in the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 were put into action on Tuesday 1 April 2025.

Looking ahead, starting from Wednesday 1 April 2026, individuals joining the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme will automatically be enrolled in a 5 year membership tailored to their specific regulated role, replacing the previous lifetime membership model.

Disclosure Scotland is planning a transition from April 2026 to ensure existing PVG scheme members are smoothly and fairly transferred to the new 5 year membership system.

Important Information to Note

5 Year Membership: From Wednesday 1 April 2026 PVG scheme membership will last for 5 years from the date scheme members join. Every 5 years, renewal will be required.
Separate Renewal Process: The process for applicants renewing their PVG scheme membership will not be the same as applying for a disclosure; these processes will be handled separately.
Online Account: Renewals will be primarily made through the applicant’s online account, with an offline process in place for anyone who is unable to use Disclosure Scotland’s digital service.
No Change to Current Application Process: People will be able to continue to submit application requests as normal, and should not change how often or when they apply for a PVG application when the 5 year membership starts, or in preparation for this change.
Organisation Notifications: Disclosure Scotland will notify an organisation when an individual’s PVG scheme membership is due for renewal. Notifications of upcoming renewals will be issued at least 3 months in advance of the renewal date.

Next Steps

1. Moving Over to the 5 Year PVG Scheme Membership

On Wednesday 1 April 2026, the PVG scheme will move to a 5 year membership.

However, not all existing PVG scheme members will move to the 5 year membership at this point. This is expected to happen in phases. Disclosure Scotland is working with Volunteer Scotland to understand the requirements for this transition, and further information about transitional arrangements will be available as soon as possible.

2. What Can You Do Now?

To prepare for the 5 year membership, organisations should:

Notify Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services (VSDS) when a PVG scheme member stops carrying out a regulated role with them. This helps reduce unnecessary admin and ensures organisations do not receive updates they are no longer entitled to. Organisations can inform VSDS of these changes by completing a Removal of Interest form.
Keep records up to date – Volunteer Scotland provides an online sample tracking sheet (available to view or download) on its website to encourage organisations to keep track of applications they have made. This sample is designed to have all the information organisations require to remove its interest when an applicant is no longer volunteering/working for the organisation.
Encourage volunteers and staff to tell Disclosure Scotland when they no longer require their PVG scheme membership. They can contact Disclosure Scotland with their full name, date of birth and PVG scheme number, by email: dsupdate@disclosurescotland.gov.scot

3. Current PVG Scheme Members – What Do They Need to Do?

PVG scheme members who are currently, or intend to, carry out a regulated role, do not need to do anything before Wednesday 1 April 2026, though they still need to tell Disclosure Scotland if their personal details have changed. This will ensure that Disclosure Scotland hold accurate address and contact information.

Information on how applicants can update their PVG details, timescales and legal requirements can be found on the Disclosure Scotland website.

Disclosure Scotland intend to share regular updates on the lead up to the commencement of the 5 year PVG scheme membership, which our team at CVS Falkirk & District will share through our communication channels as they become available.

If you have any questions or need further support around PVG and the changes, please contact the VSDS by email: disclosures@volunteerscotland.org.uk