Private Care Sector Workforce Initiative

On 30 November 2010, the Scottish Government will introducing a new membership scheme to replace and improve upon the current disclosure arrangements for people who work with vulnerable groups.

The Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG Scheme), which delivers on the provisions outlined in the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) (Scotland) Act 2007 will:

• help to ensure that those who have regular contact with children and protected adults through paid and unpaid work do not have a known history of harmful behaviour 
• be quick and easy to use, reducing the need for PVG Scheme members to complete a detailed application form every time a disclosure check is required 
• strike a balance between proportionate protection and robust regulation and make it easier for employers to determine who they should check to protect their client group.

For the relevant information including links to FAQs which incorporates the costs and timescales, click here

 PVG Scheme

The PVG Scheme is Scotland's response to the principal recommendation of the Bichard Inquiry Report which was undertaken following the tragic murders in Soham in 2002. This recommendation called for a registration system for all those who work with children and vulnerable adults in the UK that would confirm that there is no known reason why an individual should not work with these client groups.

The Scottish Government is committed to helping local communities flourish and become stronger, safer places to live. It has built upon what has been learned from current disclosure and disqualification services in Scotland to develop an efficient membership scheme that will strengthen protection for vulnerable groups and reduce bureaucracy.

The new scheme that will strengthen protection for vulnerable groups in Scotland is set to commence on 30 November 2010, Children’s Minister, Adam Ingram announced today alongside publication of guidance and training materials.

 The new scheme that will strengthen protection for vulnerable groups in Scotland is set to commence on 30 November 2010, Children’s Minister, Adam Ingram announced today alongside publication of guidance and training materials.

The Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG Scheme) is a new membership scheme that will replace and improve upon the current disclosure arrangements for people who work with vulnerable groups. As well as helping to ensure that people who have a known history of harmful or abusive behaviour are unable to work with children and protected adults, it will simplify and speed up the whole disclosure process, making it easier for employers, staff and volunteers to use.

Guidance and training materials on the PVG Scheme for organisations, individuals and personal employers are now available on the Disclosure Scotland website. Over the coming weeks and months, additional materials will be made available to help organisations plan for the introduction of the PVG Scheme. These will include a modular training package and an assessment tool to help employers to determine whether a post is within the scope of the PVG Scheme. Further updates such as this one will be issued when new training materials are added.

A dedicated PVG Scheme help service, operated by Disclosure Scotland is now live:  

The PVG Scheme telephone helpline number is 0870 609 6006

The PVG Scheme email help service address is

Adam Ingram, Minister for Children and Early Years said:

“The PVG Scheme has been the subject of extensive consultation and engagement with people who work with children and protected adults across Scotland.

“Their continued interest and views have helped Scottish Ministers to shape a system that strikes the balance between robust and proportionate protection.

“The vast majority of the vulnerable groups’ workforce are committed and caring people. Unfortunately, there are some who would do harm and the PVG Scheme intends to ensure that these people are not able to work with children and/or protected adults.

“I look forward to commencing the PVG Scheme on 30 November 2010 and to further consultation with the sector on what is the most effective way to phase in the existing workforce.”

During the first year after the PVG Scheme goes live, it will only be available to those who are:

• joining the vulnerable groups’ workforce for the first time
• moving posts

or

• whose employment circumstances have changed.

 Thereafter, existing members of the vulnerable groups’ workforce will be phased in over a three year period. The phasing in period is expected to commence towards the end of 2011, subject to secondary legislation successfully completing its passage in the Scottish Parliament.

 SOURCES OF INFORMATION ON THE PVG SCHEME

The PVG Scheme web landing page has been created to help direct people to the most appropriate and relevant website depending on their needs. It includes a short registration form for people to complete if they wish to be placed on the PVG Scheme mailing list if they are not already receiving regular PVG Scheme Progress Update newsletters and other email updates such as this one.

A short information booklet that outlines how the PVG Scheme will work is available to download. Hard copies are also available as are large print, British Sign Language and minority ethnic languages versions. Call the PVG Scheme telephone helpline on 0870 609 6006 for copies or email

Frequently asked questions, which are updated regularly, aim to answer the most popular questions on the PVG Scheme.