Volunteer Centre Borders is an 'Intermediary Body' for Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services and Disclosure Scotland and has a designated member of staff who can guide you through the PVG (Protection of Vulnerable Groups) process.
We can assist in enrolling qualifying voluntary groups to access PVG Checks. Once enrolled, we can carry out PVG Disclosure checks on approved roles within the organisation
Approved roles - roles where the job description shows regulated work with children or protected adults
Regulated work - where the normal duties include regular, one-to-one contact with children or protected adults The PVG Scheme must only be used for regulated work. Not all roles will fit the necessary criteria.
PVG Checks are free for volunteers (although a small administration fee of £10 per form is payable to VC Borders).If the posts are paid these are the charges...
- Application to join the PVG Scheme - £59
- Scheme Record - £59 (But free of charge when requested at the same time as an application to join).
- Scheme Record Update - £18
- Scheme Record requested by the same employer subsequently to a Scheme Record Update - £41 (that is £59 minus £18) if the subsequent application is made within 30 days of the Scheme Record Update being issued, £59 (after more than 30 days)
- Scheme Membership Statement - £18 (if requested in an application subsequent to the application to join) But free of charge when requested at the same time as an application to join
- Scheme Record or Scheme Record Update for volunteers working in a qualifying voluntary organisation in Scotland - Free of charge**
What you need to bring with you:- National Insurance Number
- Passport (UK or other country)
- Photographic Driving Licence
- Other Photo ID Card (eg staff ID card)
- At least one of the following for proof of address:
- Bank or building society statement*
- Utility bill with current address*
- Credit or store card statement*
- Financial statement (e.g. mortgage, ISA)*
- Correspondence for DWP, HMRC, NHS, Council
- Pension information/correspondence
- Driving Licence - if not used as photo ID
- Other official correspondence
* Documents must be less than 3 months old.
It would also be beneficial to see your Birth Certificate.
If you are already a member of the PVG Scheme and applying for an 'Existing Member Update' we require your PVG Membership Number. If possible please bring your PVG Scheme Certificate with you, or call Disclosure Scotland on 03000 2000 40 to ask them for your Membership Number if you are unable to locate it. We also need to know if you are a member in both categories – Children and/or Vulnerable Adults.
Addresses - we need to know your residential address history for the last 5 years.
PVG Scheme Records (formerly known as Disclosures) - more detailed information
On 28 February 2011, the Scottish Government introduced a new membership scheme to replace and improve upon the previous disclosure arrangements for people who work with vulnerable groups.
Volunteer Centre Borders acts as an intermediary and access the access PVG Scheme Membership Statements, Scheme Records and Scheme Updates on behalf of Volunteer Centre Borders registered organisations.
The Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG Scheme) 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.
The new system will improve those arrangements by reducing the need for people to complete a lengthy application form every time a disclosure is required through a membership scheme that continually updates relevant information.
It will also ensure that people who become unsuitable during their employment can be quickly identified and will allow employers to check records more quickly and easily.
What is Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services?
Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services (originally CRBS) was established by the Scottish Government to provide free Disclosures (police checks) for volunteers in the voluntary sector working with children, young people and vulnerable adults.
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