PVG Scheme Checks for Children's Football Coaches & other football roles

It’s important for Football Clubs to uphold the safety and trust of their members under the age of 18. This guide aims to simplify the process of safe recruitment for children’s football coaching, with straightforward, actionable advice.

What is the PVG Scheme?

The Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme plays a crucial role in safeguarding children by ensuring individuals unsuitable for working with children cannot do so. For football clubs, this means ensuring that all staff that are involved in coaching, supervising, or other roles providing services to players under the age of 18 undergo Disclosure Scotland PVG checks to confirm their suitability.

PVG Checks from a previous Employer

An employee’s or potential employee’s PVG certificate from a previous employer does not give the Football Club up to date disclosure information, such as new vetting information that may have been added, a barring, or considerations for listing. Without directly linking the Football Club to an employee’s PVG Scheme membership by getting a new PVG check, the Football club will not receive ongoing notifications about the employees suitability to work.

PVG Scheme Eligibility for Football Club Staff (paid or unpaid)

For children’s football clubs, the roles eligible for PVG checks include:

• Coaching staff coaching specifically individuals aged under 18 years old
• Kit persons whose duties include supervising children
• Physiotherapists treating or providing care to individuals
• Positions with direct line management responsibilities to any of these positions that are eligible for PVG checks.

The Scottish FA advise that a club must request a Scheme Record Update for anyone who is in regulated work with children every three years.

How do I request a PVG Check?

You can obtain a PVG Scheme check for Children’s Football coaches, Kit persons, Physiotherapists or any other position eligible for a PVG check from Scottish Disclosures. We can progress online PVG checks on your preferred candidates or a PVG update on your existing employee.

Our contact email is info@scottish-disclosures.co.uk