28th November 2025
Five-year Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme
Regulations laid in the Scottish Parliament confirm that the five-year PVG scheme membership will come into force on 1 April 2026.
Important information
Organisations should continue to submit PVG scheme applications as normal. From now, or once the five-year membership starts (1 April 2026), do not change how often or when you should apply for the PVG scheme.
PVG scheme members who joined before 1 April 2026, do not need to do anything now. Disclosure Scotland will:
- contact the applicant when they will move to the five-year PVG scheme membership
- expect this to happen in phases
- work with VSDS to understand the requirements for this transition
- will share more information about this as soon as possible, which we will share with you
In the meantime, PVG scheme members should ensure that their details are up to date.
For information on how applicants can update their PVG details, timescales and legal requirements please visit Disclosure Scotland’s website.
- From 1 April 2026, individuals who join the PVG scheme will automatically be part of the five-year PVG scheme membership. Every five years, renewal will be required.
For example:
- Andrew joins the PVG scheme on 2 April 2026 and will be required to renew their membership by 2 April 2031. Andrew will be contacted about their renewal no later than 2 January 2031. The ‘interested parties’ on Andrew’s PVG scheme membership are notified that Andrew’s membership is due for renewal. The interested parties do not need to take any action.
- Charlotte joins the PVG scheme on 31 January 2027 and will be required to renew their membership by 31 January 2032. Charlotte will be contacted about their renewal no later than 31 October 2031. The ‘interested parties’ on Charlotte’s PVG scheme membership are notified that Charlotte’s membership is due for renewal. The interested parties do not need to take any action.
- Andrew and Charlotte must renew their membership if they are carrying out a regulated role. This ensures that they meet their legal requirement. If Andrew or Charlotte were no longer carrying out a regulated role, and did not plan to in the future, they should tell Disclosure Scotland that they will not renew their membership. If Andrew or Charlotte stop carrying out a regulated role after they start their five-year membership, they must notify Disclosure Scotland at dsupdate@disclosurescotland.gov.scot
What organisations can do now
You should notify VSDS when a PVG scheme member stops carrying out a regulated role for you. This will reduce unnecessary admin and ensure you do not receive updates you are no longer entitled to. To do this, please complete our removal of interest form.