We use cookies to collect anonymous data to help us improve your site browsing experience.

Click 'Accept all cookies' to agree to all cookies that collect anonymous data. To only allow the cookies that make the site work, click 'Use essential cookies only.' Visit 'Set cookie preferences' to control specific cookies.

Set cookie preferences

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Back to 'Check if a role needs PVG scheme membership'

Is the role carried out in Scotland?

If only part of the role is carried out Scotland, you should still select yes.

If the role is remote, you should base your answer on whether the person is based in Scotland when doing the role.

 

Is the role for an organisation based in Scotland?

Where is the role carried out?

Is the role on the list of regulated roles?

If a role is regulated, the person carrying it out needs PVG scheme membership. It's not possible to give a complete list of regulated roles, because roles change.

There are some roles where it is clear it is regulated though. These are set out in a list.

Check the list to see if the role is on it (opens in a new tab).

Does the role involve work with children or protected adults?

A protected adult is someone aged 18 or over who:

  • is homeless
  • is receiving a health or community care service
  • needs assistance with the activities of daily living
  • has experienced, is experiencing or is at risk of experiencing domestic abuse
  • has an impaired ability to protect themself from physical or psychological harm, because of a physical or mental disability, illness, infirmity or ageing

 

Is the role in one of these locations?

  • school
  • hospital
  • nursery
  • day care 
  • hospice
  • care home
  • adult placement setting
  • residential care setting
  • secure accommodation

Is there opportunity for unsupervised contact with children or protected adults?

A protected adult is someone aged 18 or over who:

  • is homeless
  • is receiving a health or community care service
  • needs assistance with the activities of daily living
  • has experienced, is experiencing or is at risk of experiencing domestic abuse
  • has an impaired ability to protect themself from physical or psychological harm, because of a physical or mental disability, illness, infirmity or ageing

 

Is there contact with children or protected adults in this role?

The contact must be either:

  • physical contact
  • visual, written or verbal communication
  • using power or influence

Power or influence means:

  • assisting, facilitating, permitting or impeding progress towards a desirable outcome or objective for a child or protected adult
  • making operational or strategic decisions that could impact a number of children or protected adults
  • persuading or putting pressure on a child or protected adult to behave or act in a certain way for the financial gain or personal gratification of a person other than the child or protected adult

The contact needs to be a necessary part of your role in providing activities to children or protected adults. If the contact is only incidental, you should select no.

For example, a leisure receptionist may have contact with children, but is not involved in providing activities to children. This is incidental contact.

 

Does the role involve an activity listed in the Act?

To qualify for the PVG scheme, a role must include an activity listed in the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020.

There are different lists of activities for work with children and protected adults:

The activity must be a necessary part of the role.

Is the activity part of a family relationship?

A family relationship usually means a direct family member, such as a parent, child, aunt or uncle, who is providing care to their direct relative.

It also includes a relationship between two people who live in the same household and treat each other as members of the same family. However, it does not include a relationship between a child and foster carer.

Is the activity part of a personal relationship?

A personal relationship is between 2 people, where there is no commercial arrangement. For example, a friend who does unpaid childminding for you.

Does the role involve supervising or line managing someone who is in a regulated role?

Go to the Disclosure and Barring Service or AccessNI

Based on the information you've given, you should go to:

They provide criminal record checks for these countries.

This tool should only be used as a guide. It’s to help you determine if a role needs PVG scheme membership. If you're still unsure, contact Disclosure Scotland.

Find a different disclosure service

Based on the information you've given, this role does not need PVG scheme membership in Scotland.

You'll need to find the disclosure service in the country where the role is carried out.

This tool should only be used as a guide. It’s to help you determine if a role needs PVG scheme membership. If you're still unsure, contact Disclosure Scotland.

This role needs PVG scheme membership

Based on the information you gave, this role needs PVG scheme membership.

Organisations need to start the PVG application for the person in this role. They must select whether the membership is for work with children, protected adults or both.

Individuals cannot start a PVG application, unless they're applying as self-employed.

This tool should only be used as a guide. It’s to help you determine if a role needs PVG scheme membership. If you're still unsure, contact Disclosure Scotland.

 

Start PVG application

This role does not need PVG scheme membership

Based on the information you gave, this role does not need PVG scheme membership.

There are other types of disclosure that may be suitable.

This tool should only be used as a guide. It’s to help you determine if a role needs PVG scheme membership. If you're still unsure, contact Disclosure Scotland.

Back to top