Plans to charge volunteers for PVG 'could not come at worse time'

Volunteers believe plans to remove the membership fee waiver for the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme “could not come at a worse time”.

Proposals under consultation by Disclosure Scotland could see an increases to fees for certain groups applying to the scheme which protects vulnerable people in Scotland.

The PVG ensures people who are unsuitable to work with children and protected adults cannot undertake regulated work with them.

Volunteer Scotland said the plans to change fees for the first time since 2011 comes as a “shock” while the Scottish Government body’s proposals include discounts for some members affected.

The national care centre for volunteering revealed the number of those signing up has been in decline since 2022 and that the pandemic and cost of living crisis have created a “perfect storm”.

A Volunteer Scotland statement read: “This proposal could not come at a worse time for volunteers or the organisations that support them.

“The pandemic and the cost of living crisis have created a perfect storm of rising demand for services, increasing costs and stagnating resources.”

Alan Stevenson, CEO, added: “We are very disappointed that Disclosure Scotland are considering removing the fee waiver for volunteers who require PVG membership for their roles.

“Volunteers give their time to provide essential support to some of the most vulnerable people in Scottish society.

“Given the significant demand for such services, we urge Disclosure Scotland to reconsider or the Scottish Government to intervene.”

The value of non-chargeable disclosures provided to volunteers during 2022/23 amounted to £2.3m which is met by Disclosure Scotland and the Scottish Government.

The waiver also covers people doing regulated work in a voluntary and unpaid capacity for a Qualifying Voluntary Organisation (QVO).

Proposed discounts of a 50% reduction of the full £70 fee for people in receipt of qualifying benefits such as income-based jobseeker’s allowance, universal credit and adult disability payment are being considered.

For care experienced young people, the proposal is considering various options amounting to the same reduction in members’ fee.

A spokesperson for Disclosure Scotland said: “Disclosure Scotland provides vital safeguarding checks, keeping children and protected adults safer across Scotland.

“Every day we check over 1.5 million PVG scheme members and use state of the art technology to detect those who may have become unsuitable to work with vulnerable groups.

“Disclosure fees for PVG have stayed the same since 2011 and the time is now to look at various options to permit our vital service to continue in a way that is both affordable and sustainable.

“This consultation phase is about suggesting ideas for the future to deliver that sustainably. We encourage all stakeholders to respond to the consultation and give us their valuable views.

“The Scottish Government listens carefully to all views expressed in public consultations and will consider them carefully before deciding on future policy.

“No matter what, Disclosure Scotland will always stay laser-focused on protecting the public, allowing them to use vital services with confidence – including volunteering.”

The consultation is due to close on May 28, 2024.