Disclosure Scotland Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) application statistics: FOI release

Information requested

1. How many applications for PVG checks are currently awaiting processing?

2. How many applications have been waiting longer than the 14 day target?

3. The maximum current waiting time for applications in the queue?

4. What enforcement activity will be carried out by Disclosure Scotland following July 1?

Response

I enclose the information you requested. On 14 July 2025 we reached out for clarification that questions 2 and 3 also related to PVG applications. The below figures are related to PVG applications as of 14 July 2025 at 18:00.

1) How many applications for PVG checks are currently awaiting processing?

On 14 July 2025 there were 33,776 applications in progress at various stages in their application journey. Disclosure Scotland begins processing applications on the day they are received. The number of open applications will fluctuate as applications enter processing and are completed. Applications progress through a series of stages including confirming they are legally eligible, thorough searches of criminal history systems, accurately matching criminal history information to applicants and assessing information to decide whether Disclosure Scotland should consider including an applicant on the lists of people who are barred from working with children and/or protected adults.

Disclosure Scotland is currently processing a significant increase in applications following implementation of the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 on 1 April 2025. It has received an additional 51,474 PVG applications between April and June 2025 compared to the same period last year, a 73.4% increase. This includes applications for roles that became eligible for PVG checks on 1 April and for roles that were eligible for checks over the past 14 years finally joining the PVG scheme. This will mean that those roles are now subject to daily checking and will improve safeguarding. This shows the positive impact of the policy intention to make PVG mandatory, in line with the intentions of the Scottish Parliament in passing the new law.

Disclosure Scotland monitors service delivery performance daily and undertake long term application volume forecasts to plan and allocate resources.

2) How many applications have been waiting longer than the 14 day target?

Disclosure Scotland’s Service Level Agreement is to complete 90% of applications within 14 days. On 14 July 2025, 4,768 PVG applications were over 14-days. This does not include cases where Disclosure Scotland had to make additional enquiries either with customers, countersignatories or police forces in order to complete the application.

In April to June 2025, 88,550 PVG applications were processed, with 89.2% (78,961) processed within 14 days.

3) The maximum current waiting time for applications in the queue?

On 14 July, the maximum waiting time for an application to be completed was 24 days. This does not include cases where Disclosure Scotland had to make additional enquiries either with customers, countersignatories or police forces in order to complete the application.

Disclosure Scotland is focused on completing applications as quickly as possible. For week commencing 7 July 2025, the average processing time for all PVG applications was 17.1 days.

Disclosure Scotland is proactively addressing this and expects to return to performance well within targets within the next few weeks.

4) What enforcement activity will be carried out by Disclosure Scotland following July 1?

Disclosure Scotland is continuing to engage with individuals and organisations through general and targeted communications and engagement to help them understand the changes. In the short period since July 1, Disclosure Scotland has not yet initiated action to report an individual or organisation to Police Scotland for the offences related to carrying out regulated roles whilst not a scheme member.

However, Disclosure Scotland do consider each situation on its own merits, as we do with all potential offences under the PVG Act or the Disclosure Act and will decide in each instance at the appropriate point whether to pursue a report to Police Scotland.

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