Checks for adults in Scotland

Adults requiring a check 

Before any adult can carry out a regulated role with Scouts in Scotland, they must be clear to volunteer – this means they’ll have the ‘Disclosure Issued’ status showing against a Disclosure Scotland check on My Membership. 

Any adults who support your Group / District / Region by carrying out a regulated role must be added onto My Membership in the appropriate role such as Section Team Member or Non Member - Needs Disclosure. 

The member can then apply to join the PVG Scheme using existing processes in My Membership. The application must be submitted within 60 days and the adult cannot carry out a regulated role until they are clear to volunteer. 

All other parts of the Volunteer Joining Journey remain the same and no other rules and processes are changed. 

After 31 March 2026, any adults who are not clear to volunteer mustn’t carry out a regulated role in Scotland until they have the ‘Disclosure Issued’ status showing against a Disclosure Scotland check on My Membership.  

This also applies to new Trustees, who mustn't carry out their role until they have the 'Disclosure Issued' status showing against a Disclosure Scotland check on My Membership.  

Supervised Access 

Supervised Access is no longer allowed in Scotland. This is where someone who is not clear to volunteer has access to young people or vulnerable adults but is supervised by at least one adult who has a full role. 

This means some growth and recruitment tools, such as the 4-week challenge, must no longer be used in Scotland. Until a new volunteer is clear to volunteer, they mustn’t be present at any meetings or events where they carry out a regulated role. 

Observation sessions 

Before they have the Disclosure Issued status against a Disclosure Scotland check on My Membership, an individual is allowed up to two observation sessions, during these: 

• They must always be within sight and hearing of at least one adult who has a full Team Member or Team Leader role
• They do not count towards ratios
• They can interact with young people, but must not participate in the programme/activities being delivered