Safe recruitment

The Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG Scheme) is about making sure that those working with vulnerable groups are safe to do so.

PVG Scheme video

All volunteers and paid staff engaged in regulated work with the Church of Scotland, and as defined in schedules 2 and 3 of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 must become members of the PVG scheme. The following PVG Scheme video is about successfully completing the forms and avoiding common errors that cost time and money. It is primarily aimed at Church of Scotland Safeguarding Coordinators but applicants, and others organisations, should find it helpful too.

Contact us

You can either email the Safeguarding Service or call us 0131 240 2256

Safeguarding Service newsletters

• Newsletter 15 (January 2017)
• PVG newsletter 14
• PVG newsletter 13

PVG Scheme current guidance and forms

• PVG and Administration Frequently Asked Questions
• Safeguarding handbook 2: safe recruitment for safeguarding forms referred to in Safeguarding Handbook 2 see key publications.
• Determining PVG Scheme membership For additional guidance on regulated work with protected adults please see Clarification about the PVG Scheme and regulated work with protected adults in the Key Publications section
• Scheme Record guidance for coordinators
• Scheme Record guidance for applicants
• Existing Scheme Member guidance for coordinators
• Existing Scheme Member guidance for applicants
• PVG Self-Declaration guidance
• PVG Self-Declaration form
• PVG Self-Declaration form
• PVG Scheme Application Multiple Coversheet (must accompany all PVG Scheme Applications being submitted to the Safeguarding Service)
• Step by step guidance for completing the PVG Scheme Application form
• Step by step guidance for completing the existing PVG Scheme Application form
• CRBS powerpoint audio presentation on how to complete PVG application forms
• Clarification about the PVG Scheme and Regulated Work with Adults

Forms for recruiting Safeguarding Coordinators and volunteers

• Application form for volunteer or paid workers doing regulated work in congregations
• Application Form for volunteer or paid workers doing regulated work in congregations
• Volunteer transfer form
• Volunteer transfer form
• Reference request
• Reference request
• Step by step guidance for completing the PVG Scheme application form
• The Volunteer Worker Job Description and Declaration
• Registration of Coordinator Form
• Registration of Coordinator Form
• Your Responsibilities When You Join the PVG Scheme

Boys' Brigade Leader Registration Forms

Boys’ Brigade Leader Registration Form (LREG1) is the Boys Brigade application form and should be completed as per the guidance on the form for any new Boys’ Brigade Leader.

• LREG1

Boys Brigade Leader Re-Registration Form (LREG2) is completed by Leaders every 5 years. This form will be completed by Safeguarding Coordinators during retrospective checking as the Boys’ Brigade have linked the PVG Scheme application with the Re-Registration form.

• LREG2

Congregational Safeguarding Register

Every Kirk Session is required to maintain an accurate record of personnel working with children and protected adults as in the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007. This record will be checked at annual and Presbytery inspections.

• Congregational Register
• Congregational Register

No Longer Undertaking Regulated Work with the Church of Scotland

If a volunteer is no longer undertaking regulated work with the Church of Scotland, both the Safeguarding Service and Disclosure Scotland are required to be notified.  The volunteer must contact Disclosure Scotland directly on the details below.

To inform the Safeguarding Service please use the form below, which should be completed by both the volunteer and the Safeguarding Coordinator and sent into the office.

• SG22 - No longer undertaking regulated work with the Church of Scotland
• SG22 - No longer undertaking regulated work with the Church of Scotland

Change to PVG Scheme Member Details

Please inform Disclosure Scotland of any changes to your personal details.

Disclosure Scotland’s instructions on how to manage your PVG membership can be found here

Disclosure Scotland contact details: Disclosure Scotland, PO Box 250, Glasgow, G51 1YU.

E: DSupdate@disclosurescotland.gov.scot T: 0300 020 0040

Safeguarding Service contact details: The Church of Scotland, Safeguarding Service, 121 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4YN

E: safeguarding@churchofscotland.org.uk T: 0131 240 2256