If you're self-employed or work for personal employer

There are 2 types of PVG application for people who are self-employed or work for an individual (personal employer):

• Scheme Membership Statement 
• Scheme Membership Statement (countersigned)

Scheme Membership Statement 

If you're self-employed and doing regulated work, you can join the PVG scheme without an organisation countersigning your application.

This application is called a Scheme Membership Statement.

Scheme Membership Statement (countersigned)

You need to get your application countersigned if you're both of the following:

• an existing member of the PVG scheme
• applying to work with a group (children or protected adults) you're already a member for

You cannot get another Scheme Membership Statement for that group unless it's countersigned.

For example, if you've previously had a Scheme Membership Statement for children and you want to apply for another Scheme Membership Statement for children, you need to get your application countersigned.

This application is called a Scheme Membership Statement (countersigned).

If you're applying to work with a group that you're not a member for, you do not need to get your application countersigned. You should apply for a Scheme Membership Statement.

Who can countersign your application

The person countersigning your application must be someone you're doing regulated work for. If you're working for a personal employer, you should ask them to countersign your application.

Both you and the person who countersigned your application will get a copy of your PVG certificate. 

Apply by email

If you're joining the PVG scheme for the first time, you'll need to complete the apply to join form and return by email.

If you are an existing member of the PVG scheme, you will need to complete the existing member form and return by email.

On the 'Application type' field on the form, you need to select if you're applying for a countersigned application or not.

If you're not sure what type of application you need, contact Disclosure Scotland:

• phone: 0300 0200 040
• email: response@disclosurescotland.gov.scot

Payment

Both types of Scheme Membership Statement cost £59 if you're:

• joining the PVG scheme for the first time
• an existing PVG member who will be working with a new vulnerable group

For example, if you previously joined the PVG scheme for work with children, and now you're applying for work with protected adults, it costs £59.

If you're applying for work with the same vulnerable group you're a member for, it costs £18.