Changes to the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020: Implemented on 1st April 2025

Understanding the New PVG Requirements for Clubs

The Scottish Government passed changes to the law around PVG’s, called the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 which will be implemented on the 1st of April 2025. 

JudoScotland have been working with Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services (VSDS) to clarify and understand how these changes will impact judo clubs. Together, we are preparing the necessary guidance to help clubs adapt and comply with the updated legislation. 

If you were unable to join the online information session with Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services, you can review it below. 

Key Changes to the PVG Process

While we recommend reading the full document, we’ve highlighted some key points that may be relevant to your club: 

  1. PVG Scheme membership will become mandatory
    This means that a person cannot start in a  regulated role without having a PVG in place first – if they do, this will be a criminal offence for the individual AND the club who is employing them (either voluntary or paid). 
  2. Regulated work will become Regulated Roles 
    If a role previously required a PVG check, such as coach, club welfare officer, or club helper, it is highly likely that it will still require one under the new Regulated Roles criteria. 
  • We expect that additional roles within clubs may now also require a PVG check, such as committee/board members and trustees. 
  • JudoScotland is currently undertaking a role assessment against the new Regulated Roles criteria reviewing common roles in the judo community, including referees, technical officials, and senior examiners, to assess whether they fall under the new criteria for Regulated Roles. 
  • Since every club operates differently, club leaders must review all roles within their club to determine whether they require a PVG under the new rules, which take effect from 1st April 2025. 

Action Required Before 1st April 2025 

From 1st April 2025 for every role in the club, the club must undertake a regulated role assessment that looks like this: 

Step 1: Identify and Document Roles 

  • Identify all roles in your club (e.g., coach, helper, volunteer, committee member, chaperone). 
  • Create role descriptions if they are not already in place. 
  • Consider using a spreadsheet or table to track roles, PVG requirements, and safeguarding details. 

Step 2: Check if the Role Requires a PVG

  1. Is the role on the current list of positions requiring a PVG?
    • Roles such as Children’s Coach, Club Welfare Officer (CWO), and Club Helper already require a PVG.
    • If yes  Apply for a PVG now if one is not already in place.
  2. If the role is not currently listed, assess it using the criteria below:
    • Is the role on the new list of Regulated Roles?
      • If yes and the role involves contact with children or protected adults, it will require a PVG.

Even if the role is not on the list, you must still consider the following:

    • Does the role involve Regulated Activities as a normal part of its duties?
    • Does the role involve contact with children or protected adults?

Grace Period for New PVG Roles

Disclosure Scotland has introduced a 3 month grace period (from 1st April 2025 to 30th June 2025) to allow clubs to submit PVG applications for newly regulated and existing roles.

  • This grace period only applies to existing roles within the club. Anyone joining your organisation in a regulated role after 1st April will require a PVG before being offered the role.
  • This deadline is set by Disclosure Scotland. JudoScotland will provide support to clubs to meet this deadline.
  • After 30th June 2025, any individual in a role that requires a PVG but does not have one must stop their activities immediately, or both the individual and the club could be committing an offence.

Need Help?

JudoScotland staff are available to assist with role assessments. If we are unsure about a specific role, we will consult Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services for confirmation.

Resources for Clubs

There are also a number of resources available below to help you in making these assessments:

JudoScotland Resources

JudoScotland has worked with Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services to deliver online information sessions led by Wendy McBeth, Compliance and Training Officer at Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services.

Online Session RecordingSlides from session

Disclosure Scotland Resources

Regulated Roles ListDisclosure Scotland’s Guidance DocumentOnline Check from Disclosure Scotland to help you determine if a role requires a PVGRegulated Roles VideoTraining Sessions on Regulated Roles

Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services Resources

VSDS have a wealth of resources to support your club, including drop in sessions, information sessions and training on Regulated Roles and Legal Responsibilities.

Volunteer Scotland ResourcesRole ChecklistVSDS Guidance for committee members/trustees

Clubs

JudoScotland values the hard work of our member clubs without whom we wouldn’t be able to develop Judo in Scotland.
DISCOVER NOW

Members

We want to make judo accessible to whoever wants to take part, as a JudoScotland member you will have access to a variety of benefits.
DISCOVER NOW

Coaches

Coaches are at the front line of judo and are an integral part of clubs. We provide continuous professional development for coaches already on the pathway.
DISCOVER NOW

"If there is effort, there is always accomplishment."

Jigoro Kano