The Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme is managed by Disclosure Scotland. It helps ensure people who are unsuitable to work with children and protected adults cannot do regulated roles with these groups.

It’s a legal requirement to join the PVG scheme if you’re going to do a regulated role.

When you apply to the scheme Disclosure Scotland carries out criminal record checks. You’ll get a disclosure which shows the results of these checks.

You can share this disclosure with the organisation you’re applying with. They can use this information to help decide if you’re right for the role you’re applying for.

As of 1st July 2025, it is a criminal offence to commence any of the below roles without obtaining PVG membership first:

  • Instructors

  • Coaches

  • Assistant Coaches

  • Club Welfare Officers

  • Referees with weigh-in responsibilities

What has changed?

All PVG applications must now be completed through the British Taekwondo process in partnership with Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services (VSDS). This process is explained further down this page.

As a result, please take note of the following:

  • PVG applications submitted via ‘Taekwondo Scotland’ will no longer be accepted by British Taekwondo.

  • With immediate effect, if an application is submitted via Taekwondo Scotland, it will unfortunately need to be repeated using the correct British Taekwondo process.

Why the change? 

These updates reflect national safeguarding legislation and are designed to:

  • Strengthen child and vulnerable adult protection.

  • Ensure all individuals in regulated roles are checked through the correct organisational framework.

  • Provide British Taekwondo with full oversight of safeguarding compliance across all affiliated clubs.

What you need to do

All clubs must ensure that any Instructor, Coach, Assistant Coach, or Club Welfare Officer requiring a PVG check follows the process below:

  • Email Membership Services with your Full name, Date of Birth, Address, the role for which you require your PVG application and whether you are in a voluntary or paid role

  • Attach two forms of ID – one of which must be photo ID, and one piece of ID which confirms your current address

  • A member of British Taekwondo staff will arrange a suitable time for a video call to quickly verify your documentation

  • You will receive a link to the PVG application form to complete. You will need to make payment at the point of application (only applicable for paid roles). You do not need to make payment to British Taekwondo.

  • Once your application has been processed and you have received your certificate, you can quickly share this information digitally with British Taekwondo.

From 1 April 2026, lifetime PVG scheme membership will end. Disclosure Scotland are replacing this with a time limited membership. PVG scheme membership will last 5 years before you need to renew it.

Next Steps 

Please familiarise yourself with the process and ensure your club adopts this process immediately. Any PVG applications made outside of the approved British Taekwondo process will be invalid and must be resubmitted, which may cause delays in your club officials being cleared for regulated roles.

Thank you for your cooperation and for your continued commitment to safeguarding in our sport.