As Volunteers’ Week 2025 comes to an end today (Sunday 9 June) concerns have been raised about new Disclosure Scotland changes to the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme and their effects on local community clubs.
Highland and Islands MSP Tim Eagle says that sports and social clubs have raised concerns that new changes around applications for 16-year-olds as well as costs and the risk of criminal charges for anyone that does not get it right is scaring away much-needed volunteers.
This is risking the participation of young people and ultimately the risk of clubs closing.
Mr Eagle raised questions on the changes with ministers at the Scottish Parliament during general questions on 29 May, and since then says that more clubs have come forward expressing concern.
Mr Eagle said: “I’ve been contacted by a number of clubs now about the changes to the Disclosure Scotland rules which risk putting off both volunteers, often parents or community members but also young people from taking part in activities that in reality we should all be widely encouraging.
“There are many clubs, for example, where secondary school pupils support primary pupils, yet new rules will mean they need a PVG from the time they are 16-years-old but they are not able to apply until their birthday. That risked them being asked to leave until it had come through. I raised this concern with the minister who thankfully has now confirmed that anyone in that position can apply from 15-and-a-half-years old.
“But this is just one of the issues being faced. There have been other very serious concerns about the risk of criminal charges to anyone who gets it wrong, which is putting volunteers off from supporting clubs.
“In order to try and rectify this I am reaching out to club and societies across the Highlands and Islands to get in touch with me and let me know how their respective organisations are coping with the changes and what their concerns are.
“I am hopeful that if we put concerns to the government, they will be able to help and I am prepared to arrange a roundtable and a discussion with the minister to see what can be done.
“It is vital to me that we do not risk losing people from our sports and social clubs, something we should all be actively getting behind for the mental and physical health of young people and adults.
“Whilst we all want to keep children safe what we don’t want is the administrative burdens of PVGs to be risking the sustainability of clubs.
“If you have concerns, please get in touch with me on
From 1 April 2025, membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme becomes a legal requirement in Scotland. Any individual who is to carry out a regulated role (paid or voluntary) with children, protected adults or both, must be a member of the PVG scheme, prior to carrying out that role.
The Scottish Government says that through continuous monitoring by Disclosure Scotland, membership of the PVG scheme provides confidence to organisations and the public that a person continues to be suitable to carry out a regulated role.
Gerard Hart, Chief Executive of Disclosure Scotland said in April: “Disclosure Scotland’s number one priority is the protection of vulnerable groups in Scotland and today marks an important milestone in that role, with more to come as we implement the remaining elements of the new law in the months ahead."
The Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 aims to protect the public, while balancing the need for people to move on from offending and simplify the process for disclosing criminal history information.
In addition to this change to the PVG scheme, the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 introduces:
- more control over disclosure information for applicants
- simplified disclosure products, making it easier to understand and use our services
- regulated roles to define whether PVG scheme membership is required
For more information on the PVG scheme and to find out if the new legal requirement applies to you or those in your organisation, visit Disclosure Scotland’s website.
