Welfare check advice for clubs with PVG legislation to change in April

Saturday 25th January 2025

scottishathletics places a key significance around all aspects of welfare and Safeguarding in our sport

Our experienced team of staff members are working closely with clubs and club Welfare Officers in help maintain and extend good practice including following the SAL Safer Recruitment guidelines.

If your club has children and young people aged under 18 or protected adults then all those working with these participants must be suitable to do so.

This means obtaining the relevant PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) check through SAL and also ensuring that the appropriate qualifications and licenses are in place.

Legislation changes being introduced from 1 April 2025 will reinforce the responsibility of both the club and the individual themselves to complete a PVG check for individuals delivering activities, paid and unpaid, for/ with children aged under 18 and protected adults (known as performing a regulated role).

Individuals should not be deployed in a regulated role (with children aged under 18 or protected adults) in your club until a PVG has been obtained and suitability decision has been made by SAL.

In circumstances where you have an individual coming to your club who is already involved in a regulated role in the sport (club or otherwise), you must always follow the safer recruitment procedures, including the steps around PVG.

scottishathletics are really keen to help guide Welfare Officers through these processes – we would also stress that club committees need to help the Welfare Officer in terms of taking responsibility in this.

More information:

Safer Recruitment Guidance

Safer-Recruitment-and-Management-of-Volunteers-in-Athletic-Clubs

PVG step by step guide

A Guide to the PVG Application Process – Affiliated Club Applicant

CWO Guidance document

Welfare Officer

When a coach or volunteer leaves your club, please let the SAL welfare team know so that we can remove the individual’s PVG link from your club.

Detailed below is a link to the step-by-step guidance so that you can sign post any coaches who suggest that they don’t know what is required of them to renew their licence.

https://www.scottishathletics.org.uk/coaches/obtaining-or-renewing-your-uka-coach-leader-licence/

As always, if you have any questions, queries or require advice, please get in touch with the welfare team, we are happy to help.

Morva, Lorna, Lisa

welfare@scottishathletics.org.uk