Changes to criminal record checks in Scotland

All volunteers in Scotland must be fully compliant with these changes by 1 April 2026.

The Scouts has updated guidance to make sure we’re all compliant with the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 by 1 April 2026. These changes mean many more people will need to join the PVG scheme, including

  • Volunteers on parent rotas qnd helping at events and outings
  • Young Leaders and Young Helpers aged 16 and 17
  • and people visiting a Scottish Scout Group in Scotland with Scouts, from outside Scotland.

Full Guidance is available here: Changes to criminal record checks in Scotland

Templates and the Region FAQ is available here: https://sesscouts.org.uk/safeguarding/

Young Leader Suggested Template :Young Leader Suggested Templates

Submitting a PVG

Group Lead Volunteers can add adults onto the Scout Membership directly. Existing members will already have a record on the membership system

Alternatively, District will register people on the completion of this form, and with their consent:

Ask District to Register on the System

Guidance for Application – Online Versions

Important Points to Note

  • The Volunteer must have logged into the system, completed the declaration, and all the details, and completed the profile BEFORE a PVG can be submitted
  • Leaders with the Accrediation ‘Dislclosure Support Volunteer’ or a Lead Volunteer, can check the ID themselves and follow the instructions on How to request a PVG (Disclosure) in Scotland on the Membership System to have the PVG email sent to the volunteer by the System
  • 3 forms of ID Must be checked including 1 photo – See Valid Forms of ID for PVG Check
  • Forname, All Miiddlenames, and Surname, Date of Birth, and the address must be correct and match the ID and the system, please also ensure we have the correct email address. Any incorrect information has to be fixed before the PVG is submitted
  • We need the PVG ID number from any existing PVG members, if they do not have access to the number they need to Contact Disclosure Scotland and give it to the person who checked the ID.
  • When the email is received from DIsclosure Scotland, the volunteer must follow the link and create or login to the ScotAccount, then submitted the PVG application, this must be done in 14 days.
  • The PVG will take between 7 – 31 days to process and return. When it is returned the Volunteer MUST share it with the Scouts within 14 days if they do not wish to appeal the result. This enables the PVG to be recorded on the Scouts system.
How to request a PVG (Disclosure) in Scotland on the Membership System
Criminal record checking process in Scotland (Guidance)
Valid Forms of ID for PVG Check

Please direct any queries to richard.fairbairn@midlothianscouts.org.uk