DBS checks cover England and Wales, for clubs in Scotland the rules are slightly different.  The Scottish equivalent of a DBS is a PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups ) check.

Currently BSUK  has no relationship with Disclosure Scotland so is unable to administer background checks (PVG) for Scottish Clubs.

Scottish clubs would need to join Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services (VSDS) where they can access Free disclosure services as a voluntary organisation.

 

Who needs a PVG check?

As under 18's can join adult teams, all teams are considered 'youth' teams and the rules below will apply to all.

Defining a "Regulated Role" in Baseball/Softball:  Under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007, a regulated role is defined as a position involving activities with children as part of an individual's normal duties. Within the baseball/softball context, the following positions are classified as regulated roles:

  • Coaches: For the direct instruction, training, and supervision of teams containing minors.
  • Captains: Due to their leadership responsibilities and oversight of team members, including junior players.
  • Umpires: Given their position of authority and sole charge of the field of play during games involving minors.
  • Organising Committee Members: Those responsible for the management and supervision of the league's operations and safeguarding infrastructure.

Allowance for 'Emergency Cover': Statutory guidance permits a limited "emergency cover" provision. If a PVG-vetted official fails to attend or falls ill unexpectedly, a non-vetted person may undertake the role to ensure the activity can be completed as scheduled. However, the use of emergency cover cannot be explicitly pre-programmed or factored into the planning of any activity.

Vetting of External Officials (from outside Scotland): Any tournament or activity held in Scotland utilising external officials, such as those from the British Association of Softball Umpires (BASU), must ensure that those individuals hold a valid PVG membership if the jurisdictional trigger is met.

Processing Times and Strategic Planning: A critical operational challenge is that the turnaround period for a PVG check through Disclosure Scotland can be up to 8 weeks. It is therefore a statutory necessity that event planning accounts for this lead time.

The "Supervising Authority" Restriction: A PVG-checked individual cannot act as a supervising authority to allow an unvetted individual to inhabit a regulated role. Every individual in a regulated role must hold their own PVG membership.

 

English Teams playing in Scotland

Guidance from Disclosure Scotland indicates that the requirement for a PVG check is specifically triggered by the involvement of Scottish minors. In instances where a game or tournament occurs in Scotland but involves only foreign minors (e.g., a visiting English team with no Scottish junior players), local safeguarding laws of the team's home country take precedence ( i.e. the DBS check) . However, even a single Scottish minor's involvement requires full compliance with the PVG scheme for all individuals in regulated roles.

Scottish Teams in England

The reciprocal jurisdictional practice for Scottish individuals operating in England for short periods (e.g., weekend tournaments). In these instances, Scottish-based individuals do not require a separate DBS check, nor is an additional PVG check triggered by the English activity. 

For more information please use the link for Disclosure Scotland