Scotland - Criminal Record Checks

The aim of the scheme is to ensure those who have regular contact with children and protected adults through paid or unpaid work do not have a known history of harmful behaviour. 

If you are being asked to do a regulated role with children and/or regulated role with adults for the first time, you will be required by law to join the PVG scheme. 

Individuals who are self-employed, or expect to become self-employed, in a capacity which involves a regulated role, will be required by law to join the PVG scheme for, or in anticipation of, such work. This includes BHS Accredited Professional Coaches and BHS Approved Centre proprietors. 

If you are working with under 18s on a day-to-day basis and this is part of your normal role you are likely to be in a regulated role with children. If you are supervising those in regulated work, for example, a proprietor, you are also in a regulated role with children. For a full definition please see the guidance document.

As a freelance instructor you need to decide whether the work you are doing is considered to be regulated role and requires a PVG check. If you are working with private clients under the age of 18 in their own homes on a freelance basis you will be required to complete a PVG check. Freelance instructors who have not yet joined the PVG scheme but need to can obtain a scheme membership directly from Disclosure Scotland at a cost of £59. Under the PVG scheme parents may choose to check whether you are barred from working with children, this is through their right to be able to access a disclosure as personal employers. 

If you work in a regulated work role for another organisation, as well as your freelance work, you will be able to access an existing confirmation of scheme membership. It will also provide a link between you and your employer. If your employer would like further information, ask them to contact the BHS using the details below or go to www.mygov.scot/apply-to-pvg-scheme

For more information, see the BHS guide on PVG Info for APC’s.

Approved Centres must ensure all their employees and volunteers in regulated roles join the PVG scheme by completing a confirmation of scheme membership or if they are already a member of the PVG scheme an existing confirmation of scheme membership. 

If you are a BHS Approved Centre proprietor and you are in a regulated role or expect to carry out a regulated role you will also need to apply to join the PVG scheme by completing a scheme confirmation of scheme membership.

If children are left unsupervised at the yard and staff are responsible for them, they are likely to be in regulated activity/roles and therefore will require a PVG check. If there is only a proprietor on site, they will need to apply for a scheme membership as they are classed as self-employed. 

Applications for registered charities and not-for-profit organisations are being completed through Horse Scotland, please contact Horse Scotland at pvg@horsescotland.org. 

Remember to keep your PVG details updated at Disclosures Scotland.