Disclosure Scotland is advising organisations planning Christmas events to check whether Santas, elves and other children’s entertainers need Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme membership.
The advice applies across Scotland, including Renfrewshire, as recruitment for festive roles gets underway this autumn.
Disclosure Scotland says anyone carrying out a regulated role with children or protected adults must hold PVG scheme membership, whether the role is paid or voluntary.
Whether a Santa, elf or entertainer role is considered a regulated role depends on the specific activities involved.
Disclosure Scotland has a free online checker and supporting guidance to help organisers and performers determine whether a role requires membership.
Self-employed professional Santas, elves and children’s party entertainers working in a regulated role with children under 18 must join the PVG scheme for children. Applications can be made online through Disclosure Scotland.
Disclosure Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government. It manages the PVG scheme, which helps prevent people who are unsuitable to work with children and protected adults from carrying out regulated roles.
The Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 made PVG membership a legal requirement for people carrying out regulated roles from 1st April 2025.