PVG Scheme Frequently Asked Questions

The Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007, most commonly known as the PVG scheme, was set up by the Scottish Government to help ensure individuals who are deemed unsuitable to work with Children (U18) and or Protected Adults are prevented from doing so.

In Scotland, a ‘regulated’ role refers to a position or activity that is governed by specific laws or regulations.

Working in a role with Children (U18) and or Protected Adults* is ‘regulated’, therefore you are required to become a member of the PVG scheme and have PVG check in place linked to scottishathletics, prior to being deployed.

*Not to be confused with Vulnerable Adults.

No.

From 1 April 2025, it became a legal requirement to have a PVG check in place before undertaking a regulated role with an organisation.

If you want to undertake a leading or coaching in a non regulated role, then you will be asked to complete a Self Declaration in place of a PVG check.

The information provided on this form is confidential and allows us to assess suitability to lead or coach in athletics.

The Self Declaration form is available here:  online Self Declaration form

No, PVG checks are no transferable across organisations.

If you are already a PVG scheme member, you only require an ‘update’ (SRU) via scottishathletics which will link to the regulated role you will be undertaking in the sport.

If the role you are being recruited for is in a club environment, you should contact your club’s Welfare Officer to start the application process.

If you operate out with a club environment, please contact Scottish Athletics to discuss whether or not a PVG check can be progressed PVG@scottishathletics.org.uk

Once you make contact with your club’s welfare officer (or if you operate out with a club environment the PVG team at Scottish Athletics) and the requirement for a PVG check has been established, they will arrange to meet with you.

At this meeting, the full process will be explained to you, your ID will be checked and the ID verifier will complete their part of the PVG application form. You will also be asked to complete the consent to share form (see next FAQ).

The information provided on this application form will be used to request that the PVG application link is issued to you, for completion.

Full guidance on the process can be found in the guides on this page:

To ensure that scottishathletics (SA) is compliant with legislation and best practice in relation to safer recruitment, you must provide ‘consent to share’ information which may be included on your PVG certificate.

No PVG (join or update) application will be progressed without the ‘Consent to Share’ form being completed and submitted in advance.

Consent can be removed at anytime, however please be advised that a regulated role will cease if consent to share is removed.

Guidance can be found:

If your club is affiliated as O18 only, there are a few considerations and governance adjustments that need to be made before regulated roles can be added.

Clubs consudering offering activity for U18s, or sessions for Protected Adults, should contact their National Club Manager to discuss the next steps.