Protection of Vulnerable Groups FAQs

Please note these Frequently Asked Questions are currently under review by People & OD subject to the new scheme changes being introduced on 1 April 2025.

Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme

Please note this Policy is currently under review by People & OD subject to the new scheme changes being introduced on 1 April 2025.

 

Scheme Changes from 1 April 2025

With effect from April 1, 2025, it will be a legal requirement for individuals to be members of the PVG Scheme to perform regulated roles involving children, protected adults, or both.

The Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) (Scotland) Act 2007 came into being as a response to the Bichard Inquiry report that called for a registration scheme for all those who work with children and protected adults.

Following the amendment to the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020, which focused on protecting the public, while balancing the need for people to move on from offending and also simplifying the process for disclosing criminal history information, the changes to the PVG scheme membership, will give new powers to Disclosure Scotland.

From 1st April 2025, it will be a legal requirement for individuals to be a member of the PVG Scheme when carrying out a regulated role with children, protected adults, or both.

‘Regulated work’ will be replaced by ‘regulated role’.  Roles which are currently included under regulated work, will also be regulated roles and work which is currently regulated, will remain regulated.  However, the introduction of the ‘regulated role’ will bring new roles into the PVG scheme that are currently not regulated work.

Changes to Disclosure Checks:

  • Level 1' and 'Level 2' checks will replace the current basic, standard, enhanced and PVG disclosure levels
  • Individuals will be able to ask for an independent review of some disclosure content
  • Individuals will be able to explain the context for certain spent or childhood convictions before they're disclosed

The PVG scheme remains mandatory for people in regulated roles with children and protected adults or both.

Changes to the PVG Act from July 2025

Two new offences will come into force:

  • Anyone carrying out a regulated role whilst not a member of the PVG scheme
  • Organisations to offer any type of regulated role to an individual where they have not received a Level 2 PVG disclosure check

This adds to the existing offences under the PVG Act. For example, it will continue to be an offence for an individual to seek, agree to do or carry out a regulated role if the individual is barred from working with children, protected adults or both. Similarly, the University must not offer a regulated role to someone who is barred from that type of regulated role.

Fees

The current fees remain the same:

  • Basic Disclosure / Level 1 - £25
  • PVG Scheme Record / Level 2 (PVG) (Join) - £59
  • PVG Scheme Record / Level 2 (PVG) (Existing) - £18

What's Not Changing

Continuous monitoring of PVG Scheme members

Suitability updates on PVG scheme members to interested parties

The University’s duty to refer

Barred status applies across the UK

The University must notify Disclosure Scotland when a PVG scheme member ceases to undertake regulated work

PVG Members must update Disclosure Scotland when there are any changes to their personal details

Future Changes

With effect from April 1, 2026, the lifetime membership of the PVG scheme will be replaced by a time-limited scheme membership, with renewal required every five years.  The transition period of existing scheme members to time-limited membership is being reviewed by Disclosure Scotland to understand what will be required and further information to be provided as soon as possible.

Check if a role needs PVG scheme membership tool

PVG Scheme – Regulated Roles Guidance

PVG Scheme – Regulated Roles Video

Apply for a Level 1 or Level 2 check (not available until 1 April)

Apply to for a PVG Scheme certificate (not available until 1 April)

 

Protection of Vulnerable Groups - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the definition of a child and a protected adult under the PVG Scheme?

Last updated: Tue Mar 11 9:39

The definition of a child under the PVG Scheme is someone who is under the age of eighteen.

The defintion of a protected adult under the PVG Scheme is someone who is aged sixteen or over, and in receipt of certain prescribed services, such as:

  • Registered care service

  • Health service

  • Community care service

  • Welfare service

Will the University pay for my PVG application?

Last updated: Tue Mar 11 9:38

If membership of the PVG Scheme is an essential requirement of your role, your School/Service will meet the cost of you joining the Scheme.


What happens after I become a PVG Scheme member?

Last updated: Tue Mar 11 9:34

Disclosure Scotland keeps checking your suitability to continue working with children or protected adults. If they find new information which means you might have become unsuitable to work with children or protected adults, they'll tell the University.


What is regulated work under the PVG Scheme?

Last updated: Tue Mar 11 9:33


There are 2 types of regulated work – work with children and work with protected adults. Regulated work is usually jobs including:

  • caring responsibilities

  • teaching or supervising children and/or protected adults

  • providing personal services to children and/or protected adults

  • working directly with children and/or protected adults

My staff member will conduct regulated work but they do not have a PVG check yet. What should I do?

Last updated: Tue Mar 11 9:40

Staff members are required to have a PVG check undertaken by the University to undertake regulated work. Where this check has not taken place, Heads of College/the Chief Operating Officer and University Secretary, may at their discretion, permit the staff member to undertake regulated work on the condition adequate supervision will be required. If you wish to seek these approvals then you should contact your College/University Services P&OD Team.


What is the Duty to Refer under the PVG Scheme?

Last updated: Tue Mar 11 9:38


The University is duty bound to make a referral to Disclosure Scotland if it identifies that you may be unsuitable to continue regulated work with children and/or protected adults. A referral may take place in the following circumstances:

  • Where you, as an individual doing regulated work has done something to harm a child and/or protected adult and;

  • Where the impact is so serious that the University has (or would) permanently remove you from undertaking regulated work.

Where do I find my PVG Membership Number and what if I can't find it?

Last updated: Tue Mar 11 9:34

Your PVG Membership Number can be found on your PVG certificate. If you've forgotten your PVG Membership Number you can contact Disclosure Scotland on 0300 020 0040 or by email on response@disclosurescotland.gov.scot


I've been asked to become a Countersignatory for the University, how do I do this?

Last updated: Tue Mar 11 9:39

If you are required to countersign PVG applications as part of your role, then you need to be added as a Countersignatory to the University's account. You should submit a request on the People & Organisational Development Enquiry Form in UofG Helpdesk and a member of P&OD Shared Services Team will contact you.


What does it mean if someone is barred from regulated work?

Last updated: Tue Mar 11 10:15

If Disclosure Scotland decides that you're unsuitable to do regulated work with vulnerable groups, they'll bar you from working with children and/or protected adults, and inform the University. They'll also remove you from the PVG Scheme and tell any other employers listed on your record that you have been barred.


How long does my membership of the PVG Scheme last?

Last updated: Tue Mar 11 9:37

Your PVG Scheme certificate shows the information available to Disclosure Scotland on the day it was created. Membership of the scheme lasts forever though, and you, as a scheme member, are continuously checked by Disclosure Scotland, unless you decide to leave the scheme.


What is the PVG Scheme?

Last updated: Tue Mar 11 9:33

The Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) membership scheme is managed and delivered by Disclosure Scotland. It's a check to make sure people who work with children or protected adults are suitable to do what is known as 'regulated work' with these vulnerable groups.