Changes to PVG Scheme Membership
From 1 April 2026, PVG Scheme membership will change from lifetime membership to a five-year renewable membership. This change applies only to new applications made on or after that date.
Disclosure Scotland will then begin moving all existing PVG members to the five-year model in phases, starting with those who first joined the scheme in 2011. We have not yet been advised on when employees will be contacted.
How Renewals will work
Disclosure Scotland will contact both the PVG member and the Council three months prior to the expiry date. Renewals will be completed through the online Disclosure Scotland account, with a non-digital option for those who need it. The renewal process is separate from the standard PVG application process which remains unchanged. There is no cost to the employee or to the organisation for renewing the membership.
When will an employee move to the new five-year membership?
An existing PVG member will shift to the new five-year model if they submit a new PVG application on or after 1 April 2026, including:
- a new application to join the PVG Scheme, or
- an update application due to moving into a role requiring a different PVG category, or an update is required due to a Consideration for Listing.
Employees who joined the PVG Scheme before 1 April 2026 and do not submit a new application after that date will be moved to the new model gradually, based on the year they originally joined.
What if an employee fails to renew their membership?
Disclosure Scotland and People Services will write to the employee to remind them to renew their membership three months prior to the expiry date. PVG Scheme membership is a legal requirement therefore, if the employee is carrying out work in a regulated role and fails to respond the membership will lapse and the employee will be unable to carry out the regulated work. If this happens the next steps will be discussed with the relevant manager.
What action should be taken by Employees and Managers?
Employees who have a PVG Membership with North Ayrshire Council should ensure that Disclosure Scotland can contact them and that they respond promptly to any communication about renewal. Please make sure Disclosure Scotland has your current email address, particularly if you have not applied for a PVG since the service moved online in 2021 or if your email address has changed since your last application.
To update your details, please email dsupdate@disclosurescotland.gov.scot with the subject line “Email address update” and include the following information in the body of your message:
- name
- date of birth
- PVG scheme number
- current email address
Managers should encourage employees to update their contact details with Disclosure Scotland and ensure that employees respond promptly when contacted about PVG renewals or updates.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact ResourcingHR@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
Published March 23, 2026
