On the 1st April 2026, the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme moved to a five-year membership. This reform is an important step towards a safer, more accurate system – one that better reflects who is actively carrying out regulated roles and gives organisations the confidence that their records are up to date and data is secure.
Some important points to remember:
Five-year membership does not affect your current application processes. Do not apply for a PVG scheme application earlier than your normal process or change how often you would apply.
- There is no added cost related to five-year membership.
- Anyone who makes a PVG scheme application from 1 April will be automatically entered into the five-year PVG scheme.
- Those who do not make an application will be moved to the five-year PVG scheme by Disclosure Scotland. This will be done in batches in order of the date you joined. You do not need to do anything, and Disclosure Scotland will contact scheme members before they intend to move you. This work will not start immediately – Disclosure Scotland will let you know when they expect it to begin.
There is more information on the five-year scheme and how your PVG scheme membership is changing on Disclosure Scotland’s website.
