Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services (VSDS) has issued an update outlining upcoming changes to the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme and Disclosure Services, with key changes taking effect from Wednesday 1 April 2026.
Important Note on Fees
There will be no additional cost associated with the introduction of five-year PVG scheme memberships or the new renewal process.
Organisations will continue to:
- Pay per disclosure application for individuals in paid roles
- Access free disclosure applications for volunteers, with fees remaining waived
Further details on application types and associated costs are available via the Disclosure Scotland website.
Separate Renewal Process
Renewing a PVG scheme membership will become a separate process from applying for a disclosure.
- Renewals will be completed through an online account
- An offline option will be available for those unable to access digital services
- PVG members will be required to renew their membership every five years
More information on how these processes will work is available on the Disclosure Scotland website.
No Change to Current Application Process
The changes coming into effect on 1 April 2026 will not impact current application processes.
Organisations are advised to:
- Continue submitting applications as normal
- Avoid applying earlier than usual
- Maintain existing application practices
Introduction of Five-Year Membership
From 1 April 2026, PVG scheme membership will move from a lifetime membership model to a five-year membership period.
- New applications will automatically be issued with a five-year membership
- Existing members will be moved to the new system by Disclosure Scotland
- No action is required from organisations or individuals
Disclosure Scotland will contact members in advance of any changes, and updated email notifications will reflect the new expiry dates.
For full details and the latest updates, visit the Disclosure updates page on the Volunteer Scotland website.
