The PVG scheme matters for architecture when a role in Scotland involves regulated work with children or protected adults. That could include education outreach, mentoring, workshops, placements or community programmes, but it will not apply to every architecture role.
Disclosure Scotland manages the scheme, and mygov.scot says PVG membership is a legal requirement for regulated roles. Use the official PVG role checker before making assumptions.
What the PVG scheme does
The mygov.scot PVG guidance explains that the scheme helps ensure people who are unsuitable to work with children or protected adults cannot do regulated roles with those groups.
When someone applies, Disclosure Scotland carries out checks and issues a disclosure. The organisation can then use that information as part of its decision about whether the person is suitable for the role.
What changed recently
- From 1 April 2025, Disclosure Scotland confirmed PVG membership became a legal requirement for individuals carrying out regulated roles with children, protected adults or both.
- From 1 April 2026, Disclosure Scotland says new PVG applicants become members for five years, while existing lifetime members are moved across in phases.
- Disclosure Scotland’s PVG scheme page was last updated on 15 May 2026 and points users to the latest mygov.scot application and role-checking guidance.
Where this can touch architecture
Most architecture recruitment does not automatically need PVG. A normal office-based Part I, Part II, architect, technician, BIM or interior design role is usually about professional work in a practice, not regulated work with vulnerable groups.
The question changes when the role includes direct work with children or protected adults, especially where there is teaching, instruction, care, supervision, guidance or positions of trust.
- School design workshops with unsupervised or regular contact with children.
- University or college mentoring where the role meets regulated-role criteria.
- Community consultation work involving protected adults.
- Youth engagement programmes connected to architecture, planning or regeneration.
- Volunteer roles where the activity, frequency and responsibility trigger regulated-role guidance.
Do not guess from the job title
The regulated roles guidance says roles need to be checked against criteria, and it is not possible to give one complete list because roles change. That is important in architecture because outreach, teaching and community work can sit beside normal design work.
A job title can mislead. An architectural assistant may not need PVG for studio work, but a project team member running regular school workshops could need the role checked properly.
Practical checks before you recruit or volunteer
- Write down who the role works with: children, protected adults, both or neither.
- Check whether the person teaches, supervises, cares for, instructs or has power or influence over those groups.
- Use the official role checker before requesting PVG.
- Decide who is responsible for the application route and disclosure handling.
- Keep personal disclosure information secure and proportionate.
- If still unsure, contact Disclosure Scotland rather than guessing.
Common mistakes
- Assuming every Scotland-based architecture role needs PVG.
- Assuming no architecture role ever needs PVG.
- Checking the person but not the actual duties.
- Forgetting that volunteering and paid work can both be relevant.
- Treating PVG as last-minute admin after a school or community project has already started.
Architecture Social view
Stephen’s recruiter view is simple: safeguarding should be clear, early and boring. If the role may involve vulnerable groups, check it properly. If it does not, do not create unnecessary barriers for candidates.
Next step
Use the official PVG role checker, then record the decision against the role brief. For wider candidate and hiring support, use the Architecture Social resources and current architecture jobs.
Add a comment