This page provides the latest information and guidance on the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 and changes to the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme.
Significant changes came into effect on 1 April 2025 and 1 April 2026, including mandatory PVG scheme membership for people carrying out regulated roles and the introduction of five-year PVG scheme membership.
We will keep this page updated as further guidance and changes are introduced.
If you require advice or support with the disclosure process, please contact Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services (VSDS) at disclosures@volunteerscotland.org.uk.
Five-Year PVG Scheme Membership
From 1 April 2026, PVG scheme membership changed from lifetime membership to a five-year membership period.
Anyone who applies to join the PVG scheme from this date automatically becomes a member for five years. Membership must be renewed every five years if the individual continues to carry out a regulated role.
Renewing PVG scheme membership is a separate process from making a PVG disclosure application, and there is no additional fee for the five-year membership or renewal process. Normal fees continue to apply when making a disclosure application.
What organisations need to know
Organisations should:
- Continue to submit PVG scheme applications as normal.
- Not apply earlier or more frequently because of the five-year membership.
- Keep their interest in PVG scheme members up to date.
- Notify Disclosure Scotland when an individual stops carrying out a regulated role for their organisation.
The existing application process has not changed as a result of the introduction of five-year membership.
Existing PVG Scheme Members
People who were already PVG scheme members before 1 April 2026 do not need to reapply simply because five-year membership has been introduced.
If an existing member makes a PVG scheme application on or after 1 April 2026, they will automatically move from lifetime membership to a five-year membership.
Existing members who do not make another application will be moved to five-year membership in phases by Disclosure Scotland. Individuals will be contacted directly when this happens and do not need to take action beforehand.
PVG scheme members should make sure their personal and contact details held by Disclosure Scotland are kept up to date.
Renewing PVG Membership
PVG scheme membership must be renewed every five years if an individual continues to carry out a regulated role.
Disclosure Scotland will contact members at least three months before their membership is due to expire. Organisations recorded as interested parties will also be informed that the individual’s membership is approaching renewal.
For example:
Andrew joined the PVG scheme on 2 April 2026.
- Membership renewal due: 2 April 2031
- Renewal notification by: 2 January 2031
Charlotte joins the PVG scheme on 31 January 2027.
- Membership renewal due: 31 January 2032
- Renewal notification by: 31 October 2031
If an individual is no longer carrying out a regulated role and does not intend to return to one, they should inform Disclosure Scotland.
Keeping Organisational Interests Up to Date
Organisations should ensure their records of PVG scheme members remain accurate.
When an individual stops carrying out a regulated role for your organisation, you should notify Disclosure Scotland or, where appropriate, update your organisation’s interest through the available Disclosure Scotland services.
Keeping this information up to date helps:
- ensure organisations only receive safeguarding information they are entitled to receive
- reduce unnecessary administration
- prevent unnecessary renewal or transition notifications.
Disclosure Scotland has also introduced functionality allowing organisational countersignatories to remove individuals their organisation no longer needs to monitor.
Temporary PVG Fee Waiver for Eligible Social Care Workers
A temporary PVG application fee waiver is currently available for some people taking up eligible roles in commissioned social care services.
The Scottish Government will cover the cost of eligible PVG scheme applications submitted between 1 August 2026 and 31 July 2027.
The waiver applies to eligible workers taking up a new job, or a new position with their existing employer, in commissioned social care services within the private, voluntary and independent sectors. Organisations should check the current eligibility criteria before submitting an application.
Read the Volunteer Scotland guidance on the temporary fee waiver
Conditions on Scheme Members Under Consideration for Listing
The Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 includes powers allowing Disclosure Scotland to impose temporary conditions on individuals who are being considered for listing and possible barring from regulated roles.
These conditions will only be used where considered necessary to safeguard vulnerable groups and would apply while enquiries are ongoing.
Disclosure Scotland has advised that further information will be provided on when these provisions will come into force.
Until these arrangements are introduced, organisations should continue to follow current safeguarding procedures and assess suitability using the disclosure information available to them.
Application Processing Times
Processing times can vary depending on the application and whether additional checks are required.
Disclosure Scotland’s Service Level Agreement is to complete 90% of applications within 14 calendar days of receiving them. Some applications can take longer where additional checks are legally required.
Organisations should allow sufficient time for PVG applications when recruiting staff or volunteers and check the latest information from Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services and Disclosure Scotland.
Further Information and Support
We will continue to update this page as further guidance becomes available on the implementation of the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 and changes to the PVG scheme.
For further guidance and support with disclosure applications, contact Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services (VSDS) at disclosures@volunteerscotland.org.uk.
You can also find the latest information directly from:
Disclosure Scotland – PVG scheme information
Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services – Latest Updates
Last reviewed: 22 September 2026
