Youth clubs being urged to comply with PVG requirements
Disclosure Scotland has urged youth football clubs to check Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) requirement or risk criminal prosecution.
The Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 made the PVG scheme a legal requirement across Scotland from April 1, 2025, for those individuals who are to carry out a regulated role.
It is a criminal offence to work or volunteer in a regulated role, such as a youth football coach, official, or club administration, without holding a valid PVG scheme membership.
It is also a criminal offence for organisations, like youth football clubs, to allow someone to carry out a regulated role without receiving a PVG scheme disclosure from Disclosure Scotland.
However, concerns have been raised that some clubs may not be complying with the law.
Disclosure Scotland are an executive agency of the Scottish Government which helps organisations make safer decisions when they are recruiting people
It is responsible for processing PVG scheme applications and works closely with Police Scotland and sporting bodies to help protect children and vulnerable groups from harm.
Anyone unsure of their obligations under the scheme is being urged to check their legal requirement now, rather than risk prosecution.
Scott Robertson, chairman of the Scottish Youth Football Association (FA) Board, said: "It is the first priority of the Scottish Youth FA to make football as safe a space as possible for all our young players.
"All new coaches and officials must follow the Safe Selection process and that includes applying for a GrassrootsFootball PVG.
"The Scottish Youth FA will work with the Scottish Women's, ParaFootball, the Scottish FA, Disclosure Scotland and Police Scotland to ensure only those who have completed the Safe Selection Process can work with our young players.
"We have and will continue to report any illegal activity to the police."
Anyone working or volunteering in youth football who is unsure whether they need to be part of the PVG scheme is encouraged to visit the Disclosure Scotland website – https://www.disclosure.gov.scot/ – to get more information.