voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
-
Scottish Government to continue PVG fee waiver for volunteers
Created: 28/01/2025
News/Events Category: General News
This item will show under the following categories: Governance Volunteering
In a major boost to the voluntary sector, the Scottish Government will continue to provide free Disclosure Scotland Protecting Vulnerable Group (PVG) scheme membership to volunteers following a public consultation on fee waivers and discount.
Announcing the decision, Disclosure Scotland said “Following our public consultation on fee waivers and discounts, we are delighted to announce that we will continue to provide free Protecting Vulnerable Group (PVG) scheme membership for Qualifying Voluntary Organisation (QVO) volunteers.
“This decision by Scottish Ministers recognises the vital role volunteers play in Scotland’s society with roles in care, health, sports, community, and children’s recreational activities.”
Membership of the PVG scheme provides assurance to employers and the public that a person can work safely with children and protected adults. By continuing with the fee waiver, volunteers and charities can continue to consider new opportunities by accessing PVG membership without encountering any financial barriers in doing so.
For organisations, it will also provide many smaller charities a crucial lifeline in recruiting and retaining new volunteers and will help eliminate the barriers some people may face when applying for roles because of affordability.
No change to disclosure fee costs
As well as retaining the fee waiver, fees for the new Level 1 and Level 2 disclosure products will remain at their broadly equivalent levels in 2025.
The decision to retain existing disclosure fees was taken after balancing several factors, including affordability – particularly for those on the lowest incomes.
This decision intends to support organisations providing vital services to children and protected adults by maintaining disclosure fee levels at the broadly equivalent levels they have been at since 2011.
This is the best possible outcome given the current challenges facing volunteers and the third sector. Volunteering participation across Scotland has declined in recent years because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis. In addition, many third sector organisations are facing a perfect storm of rising costs, rising demand for services, and stagnating income.
Click here for a full list of fees from 01 April 2025.
Upcoming changes to Disclosure Services
While there will not be changes to the disclosure fee waiver, there are a number of upcoming changes resulting from the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020.
From 01 April 2025, the following changes and updates will be implemented:
- PVG scheme becomes a legal requirement
- PVG scheme membership grace period
- Trustee roles will require a PVG scheme
- Changes to definition of age: children and protected adults
- New requirements for applicants
- Applicant's ScotAccount journey
- Notifying Disclosure Scotland when details change
Volunteer Scotland is running a high number of information and drop-in sessions to help familiarise you with the changes and what you need to do as an organisation.
Click here for a full list of training sessions.
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