The Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme

This advice applies to Scotland. See advice for See advice for England, See advice for Northern Ireland, See advice for Wales

What is the PVG scheme

The Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme is a membership scheme for people in regulated roles with children and vulnerable adults.

It is managed by Disclosure Scotland. PVG scheme membership currently lasts for life.

Lifetime PVG membership will end on 1 April 2026. After 1 April 2026, you will need to renew your PVG membership every 5 years.

How the PVG scheme works

The PVG scheme makes sure that you’re suitable to work with vulnerable groups.

Background checks under the PVG scheme will be part of the assessment of your suitability when applying for a job or volunteering opportunity.

When you apply to join the PVG scheme, Disclosure Scotland carries out criminal record checks and you'll get a disclosure with the outcome.

You can share this disclosure with the organisation you're applying with.

Once you're a member, your criminal record is monitored for any new vetting information. You'll need to keep your membership up to date.

If you commit an offence that brings into question your suitability to work with vulnerable groups, Disclosure Scotland will be notified and you might be barred from the scheme.

How to apply

The employer will need to start the application. You will then need to complete the application.

After the application is processed, you'll get the disclosure which you can share with the employer.

Read more about the types of PVG scheme applications and their fees on mygov.scot.

If you're refused membership of the PVG scheme

When Disclosure Scotland checks your criminal record and you have a conviction which bars you from regulated roles, you won’t be able to join the PVG scheme.

There is more information about disputing Disclosure Scotland decisions on mygov.scot.

Roles covered by the PVG scheme

The PVG scheme applies to regulated roles. There are 2 types of regulated roles, roles with children and roles with protected adults.

Regulated roles is usually work that involves:

  • caring responsibilities

  • teaching or supervising children or protected adults

  • providing personal services to children or protected adults

  • working directly with children or protected adults.

If you’re not sure if the work will be a regulated role, you should ask your employer or use the online regulated role tool on the Disclosure Scotland website.

Being barred from regulated roles

There are 2 lists of people barred from working with vulnerable groups:

  • a list for those barred from working with children

  • a list for those barred from working with protected adults.

Being on either of these lists is known as being 'listed'.

You can be barred from working with 1 of the vulnerable groups but not the other.

If you’re on a list, then you’re not eligible for PVG scheme membership for that type of role. If you were a PVG scheme member before being listed, your membership will end for that type of role.

It is a criminal offence to work in a regulated role with the vulnerable groups you’re listed for.

If you're barred elsewhere in the UK

You are automatically barred in Scotland if you’re barred by:

  • the Disclosure and Barring Service in England and Wales

  • Access NI in Northern Ireland.

This is also the same in reverse. If you are barred in Scotland, you are automatically barred elsewhere in the UK.

Contact Disclosure Scotland

Disclosure Scotland

Tel: 0300 020 0040 (Monday to Thursday 9am to 4pm, Friday 9am to 3.30pm)

Email: response@disclosurescotland.gov.uk 

Website: www.disclosure.gov.scot