Covering the cost of PVG checks for Social Care Workers

The Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme Costs

As a Personal Assistant (PA) Employer, you might want to undertake a criminal records check through the PVG Scheme run by Disclosure Scotland, before offering employment to any prospective PA. There would normally be a cost associated with undertaking a check.

Update on the costs of applying for a PVG check

The Scottish Government has agreed to cover the cost of PVG checks for Social Care Workers (and comparable roles in Justice and Children’s Services) from 1 October 2022 – 31 March 2023, as part of actions to support winter resilience across the health and care system.

Eligibility

To qualify for PVG fees to be waived, the person applying for the role must:

• have started a new job or taken up a new position with their existing employer in an eligible role AND
• have applied for a PVG check between 1 October 2022 and no later than 31 March 2023 – any applications outside these dates will not be eligible

Eligible roles for PAs

Any PA directly paid by their employer who receives their funding via Self-directed Support Option 1 and/or Independent Living Fund Scotland

PAs paid directly by an individual

If you are a PA paid directly by an individual, you should apply via the Disclosure Scotland website and send your application form in by email.. You can also request a paper form from Disclosure Scotland if you need to. You can find more information here.

You can see a copy of the Scottish Government information below in the resources.