Disclosure Scotland has launched a new self-service feature within its online Organisation Account, designed to streamline how organisations manage their involvement in the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG) scheme. This change comes following legislation changes with the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 and legal requirement for employees or volunteers working with vulnerable groups to have a PVG certificate.
A More Efficient Way to Manage PVG Monitoring
The new functionality enables countersignatories (CSGs) to remove their organisation’s interest in PVG scheme members they no longer need to monitor. Previously, options for managing ongoing monitoring arrangements were limited. This update introduces a more direct and efficient process, allowing organisations to review and update their PVG scheme member lists within a dedicated ‘Scheme Members’ section of the account.
CSGs can remove interest in individual members or carry out bulk updates by downloading a CSV file, amending the relevant records, and re-uploading it through the online system. Once submitted, confirmation is provided within the account, and all changes are recorded in the activity history tab, creating a clear audit trail of actions taken. If you utilise the services of an Umbrella Body to help process checks, it will be them who have the access to the new online facility.
What Remains Unchanged?
The self-service feature allows organisations to remove interest only. Other amendments such as updating a member’s name or position applied for, cannot be completed through this route. Where an organisation needs to remove interest in relation to only one regulated workforce (for example, adults but not children), this must still be managed directly with Disclosure Scotland’s support team.
Applicability and Next Steps
The update applies to Disclosure Scotland customers and does not currently extend to Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services (VSDS) customers. If you utilise DDC as your Umbrella Body for PVG checks, we will have access to the portal on your behalf. We are currently working with Disclosure Scotland to be able to provide a list of all those applicants your organisation currently has a registered interest in. Once this list is obtained, it will be passed on.
The new feature is intended to reduce administrative burden, improve the accuracy of monitoring records and give organisations greater control over their safeguarding responsibilities.
