Protecting Vulnerable Groups

The Protecting Vulnerable Groups scheme (PVG Scheme), aims to:

  • help ensure that those who have regular contact with children and protected adults through paid and unpaid work do not have a known history of harmful behaviour
  • reduces the need for PVG Scheme members to complete a detailed application form every time a PVG Scheme check is required

  • strike a balance between proportionate protection and robust regulation and make it easier for employers to determine who they should check to protect their client group

  • to protect young and vulnerable people, East Lothian Council needs to undertake PVG Scheme checks for the following:

    • prospective employees for specified posts

    • members of the public providing corporate services (i.e. foster parents and carers, children’s panel members, justices of the peace etc)

    • sub-contractors who East Lothian Council deem should be checked (i.e. bus drivers, taxi drivers etc)

Prospective appointees to posts that are the subject of criminal record checks will not be allowed to start employment until PVG clearance has been obtained. There will be no deviation from this.