PVG Updates: What this means for STEM Ambassadors

Thank you all for your continued support as a STEM Ambassador; we wanted to share a quick update on the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme and what it means for anyone completing a PVG application.

Disclosure Scotland’s New 5-year PVG Scheme

As many of you may have seen, Disclosure Scotland has introduced changes to the PVG scheme, including a new 5-year Membership period. While this is a positive development in the PVG scheme, we have been asked not to change our current processes. Until we receive further guidance, The STEM Ambassador in Scotland team will continue to follow STEM Learning’s existing policy of renewing PVG Memberships every 3 years. This ensures we remain compliant with our current safeguarding procedures while the new PVG arrangements are fully implemented.

We do hope we can make this PVG change over in the near future, but we will let everyone know as soon as we are able.

What is a Scot account?

All PVG applications are now completed through a Scot account, which is the secure online service used by Disclosure Scotland.

If you don't already have a Scot account, you'll be prompted to create one as part of your PVG application. As part of the verification process of creating your Scot account, you will be asked to take a photograph of your valid photographic ID (such as your passport or driving licence) using your smartphone or device.

Once your account is set up, you'll be able to complete your application, receive updates on its progress, and access your PVG result when its ready. Please also make sure you use an email address that you can easily access, as Disclosure Scotland will use this to notify you when your PVG result is available.

Reminder: Identification Requirements

To help us process your PVG application as quickly as possible, we'll need to verify your identity before we can submit your new or existing PVG application to Disclosure Scotland.

Please make sure you provide:

• 1x form of valid photographic identification (such as a passport or driving licence)

• 2x documents as proof of your current address, both dated within the last 3 months (for example, a utility bill, bank statement or council tax letter).

If you're unsure whether a document is acceptable, please get in touch with us and we would be more than happy to help.

Don’t Forget – Your PVG Result is Time Sensitive!

Once your PVG application has been processed, Disclosure Scotland will update you via email to confirm your PVG result is ready to view. Your PVG scheme record is only valid for 14 days. This means it’s really important that you share your result with us as soon as you receive it. If we don’t receive your result within the 14-day period, unfortunately we’ll need to submit a brand new PVG application on your behalf, which can delay your STEM Ambassador onboarding or renewal.

Have questions about your PVG Membership as a STEM Ambassador in Scotland?

If you’re a STEM Ambassador in Scotland, you may have questions about the PVG membership, the application process, or what’s required before you can take part in certain activities with children and young people.

We’ve put together a dedicated PVG FAQ section on the STEM Ambassadors in Scotland website to help answer the most common questions and make the process as straightforward as possible.

If you’re new to STEM Ambassadors or are getting ready to volunteer in activities involving children and young people, we recommend reading the FAQ before starting your PVG process.

Visit the STEM Ambassadors in Scotland PVG FAQ page here: https://www.stemambassadors.scot/pvg-information