Most of the provisions in the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 came into effect on 1 April 2025. Looking ahead, a major change to the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme will begin next year.
From Wednesday 1 April 2026, anyone joining the PVG scheme will automatically move to a 5-year membership, tailored to their specific regulated role. This will replace the previous lifetime membership model. Disclosure Scotland is planning a phased transition to ensure existing PVG members are moved over smoothly and fairly.
Key information
5-year membership
From 1 April 2026, PVG membership will last for five years from the date someone joins, and renewal will be required every five years.
Separate renewal process
Renewals will operate separately from disclosure applications. These will be managed primarily through an individual’s online account, with an offline option available for those who cannot access digital services.
No change to current applications
Organisations and individuals should continue to submit PVG applications as normal. There is no need to change how often or when you apply ahead of the move to 5-year membership.
Organisation notifications
Disclosure Scotland will notify organisations at least three months before a member’s PVG status is due for renewal.
Next steps
1. Transitioning to the 5-year scheme
The move to 5-year membership begins on 1 April 2026, but not all existing PVG scheme members will transfer immediately. Transition will happen in phases. Disclosure Scotland is working with Volunteer Scotland to confirm the process, and further updates will follow.
2. What organisations can do now
To prepare, organisations are encouraged to:
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Notify Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services (VSDS) when a PVG member stops carrying out a regulated role. This helps avoid unnecessary admin and updates.
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Keep accurate records. VSDS provides a sample tracking sheet that can be downloaded from their website.
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Encourage volunteers and staff to contact Disclosure Scotland if they no longer require PVG membership. They can email: dsupdate@disclosurescotland.gov.scot with their name, date of birth and PVG scheme number.
3. What current PVG scheme members need to do
Those currently in a regulated role do not need to take any action before 1 April 2026, but they must keep their personal details up to date with Disclosure Scotland so renewal information reaches them at the correct address.
Guidance on updating personal details is available on the Disclosure Scotland website.
Staying informed
Disclosure Scotland will continue to share updates in the lead-up to the introduction of 5-year membership. VSGWL will pass on further information through our communication channels as it becomes available.
For support or questions about PVG or the upcoming changes, you can contact VSDS at:
📧 disclosures@volunteerscotland.org.uk
