The PVG Scheme stands for the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme, and it is managed by Disclosure Scotland. Its purpose is to ensure that anyone who is not suitable for working with children or protected adults cannot undertake regulated work with these protected groups. It’s very important and something we take seriously.
At Kippen Care, we always ensure that extensive background checks are performed on all prospective staff members. Our checks are always thorough and up to date, with regular checks carried out to ensure that our patients are kept safe. Here, we would like to take you through more about what the PVG Scheme is and how it works.
How Does the PVG Scheme Work?
As we already mentioned, PVG stands for the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme, and it is in place to provide background checks for those who will be working with protected groups.
If you apply to work for a company that carried out regulated work, you will be asked to apply for the PVG Scheme. Disclosure Scotland will carry out a criminal record check when you join. When the results are in, Disclosure Scotland will share them with the organisation you have applied to work for, and it is up to the company to decide if they should hire you.
A list of people who are forbidden from working with children and protected adults is kept by Disclosure Scotland, and this is to ensure that vulnerable parties remain protected.
How Long Does Membership to the PVG Scheme Last?
Once someone has registered, membership to the scheme lasts for life or until they decide to leave. However, members are checked continuously to ensure records are up to date, and any convictions that occur after initial membership are recorded.
When you go to a new organisation that requires PVG registration, they will ask you to complete an existing PVG Scheme application. This will then give them access to the most up-to-date information and produces a new certificate.
What Type of Work is Covered by the PVG Scheme?
Of course, not all jobs require registration with the PVG Scheme. Only regulated work requires the checks that are associated with it, but what type of work is that?
The PVG Scheme covers:
- Carers and caring responsibilities
- Teaching or supervision positions that work with children or protected adults
- Personal services provided to children or protected adults
- Any work that directly involves children or protected adults
It doesn’t matter if these are paid or unpaid roles; the PVG Scheme is still required in order to start work with any regulated organisation.
It should be noted that positions of trust may also require registration with the PVG Scheme, even if direct contact with protected parties is not part of this role. Examples include:
- Membership of some council committees
- Trustee of charities with a focus on children
- Trustee of charities with a focus on protected adults
Does the PVG Scheme Apply to Personal Employers?
If the personal employment in question involves regulated work, such as a personal carer or a private tutor, the PVG Scheme can be used. You just have to ask them to apply for the scheme and then countersign their application so that you receive a copy of the results.
However, you cannot use the PVG Scheme for personal employment if:
- The person is a family member who lives with you
- The person is not related to you but lives with you
- The person has a personal relationship with you and is not being paid
What Does a PVG Disclosure Show?
It’s important for those applying, employers, and customers to know what a PVG Disclosure actually states when it is received.
First, it will include personal details such as:
- Your name
- Your date of birth
- Your address
- Your disclosure number
- Your 16-digit PVG membership number
Any other information shown on your PVG Disclosure will depend on the type of PVG you have applied for. These can be found in the following three sections.
Scheme Record and Existing Scheme Record PVG
This includes vetting information that is found on both types of records. The information comes under several different headings.
Convictions
This will show any spent and unspent convictions that you might have, and it will include details such as the date of the conviction as well as the sentence that you received.
Cautions
Any unspent cautions that you have on your record will be found in this section.
Court Orders and Notification Requirements
In this section, people will be able to see if you are a registered sex offender and any other court orders that you might have.
Other Information
All the information found in this section is relevant to you undertaking regulated work. This will be provided by the police and include anything they feel should be noted to your potential employers.
Scheme Record Update
These updates have a Statement of Scheme Membership section, but they do not include a vetting process like the above PVG option. If you do apply for a Scheme Record Update, but there is new vetting information on your record, you will be granted a Statement of Scheme Membership at no additional cost so that the vetting information can be viewed.
Scheme Membership Statement
These contain absolutely no vetting information, and they are just a simple statement of membership for the PVG Scheme.
Are There Any Risks of Disclosure Being Misused?
It is a criminal offence to misuse a PVG Scheme Disclosure, which applies to individuals and the organisations they work for. Misuse includes:
- Using the Disclosure of someone else as your own
- Forging a Disclosure or altering an existing one
- Obtaining a Disclosure under false pretences
- The improper sharing of Disclosure information
To Conclude
At Kippen Care, we are proud of the fact that we ensure every staff member has an up-to-date PVG Scheme certificate so that we can provide care that is safe, secure, and of excellent quality. We take the security of our patients seriously, and that’s why we only hire the best people to take care of you or your loved ones.