New regulations laid in the Scottish Parliament confirm that five-year Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme membership will come into force on Wednesday 1 April 2026.
From this date, anyone joining the PVG scheme will automatically be registered under the five-year membership model. PVG membership will then require renewal every five years.
What organisations need to know
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Organisations should continue to submit PVG scheme applications as normal.
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There is no change to how often or when organisations should apply for PVG checks, either now or after the five-year membership begins.
What existing PVG members need to know
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PVG scheme members who joined before 1 April 2026 do not need to take any action at this time.
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Disclosure Scotland will:
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Contact individuals when they are due to move onto the five-year PVG scheme membership
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Introduce the changes in phases
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Work with Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services to support the transition
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Share further information as it becomes available
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In the meantime, PVG scheme members are encouraged to ensure their personal details are kept up to date.
For guidance on updating PVG details, timescales, and legal requirements, visit the Disclosure Scotland website. Third sector organisations can also access additional support and information via the Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services website, which is funded to support the third sector with disclosure checks.
