FOI/202600504800 · FOI · clarification
Disclosure Scotland (PVG) waiting times: FOI release
Information requested
Definitions:
For the purposes of this request, please use the following definitions:
"Submitted"= The date Disclosure Scotland received a validated application (i.e., countersignatory and applicant parts finished, fee paid, and ready for processing).
"Completed"= The date a disclosure result was issued, regardless of whether it has been viewed by the parties involved.
The Request: For the period from 01 April 2025 to 31 December 2025 inclusive, and regarding all PVG applications completed within this timeframe (regardless of their initial submission date), please provide the following:
1. The total number of PVG applications completed.
2. The mean and median number of calendar days from submission to completion for all completed applications in this timeframe.This should represent the total end-to-end time, inclusive of any periods where applications may have been "suspended" or held for third-party enquirie
3. The longest number of elapsed calendar days for a single application from submission to completion. This should represent the total end-to-end time, inclusive of any periods where the application may have been "suspended" or held for third-party enquiries.
4. A breakdown of completion times in the following bands: a) 0–14 calendar days b) 15–27 calendar days c) 28–41 calendar days d) 42 calendar days or more
This should represent the total end-to-end completion times, inclusive of any periods where applications may have been "suspended" or held for third-party enquiries.
5. Regarding the terminology used in response FOI/202500481722: a) Please provide the internal definitions and criteria used to classify an application as "suspended." b) How many PVG applications completed in the time period were classified as "suspended" at any point? c) What was the longest continuous period (in calendar days) that any single application remained in a "suspended" status?
Response
1. The total number of PVG applications completed. This information is available from our website at the following link: Our performance - Disclosure Scotland
Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain previous financial years from the published FOI response, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.
2. The mean and median number of calendar days from submission to completion for all completed applications in this timeframe. This should represent the total end-to-end time, inclusive of any periods where applications may have been "suspended" or held for thirdparty enquiries.
Table 1: The mean and median number of processing days, with suspension time included, for all PVG applications completed between 01 April and 31 December 2025.
Processing time metric Number of days Mean processing time 12.99 Median processing time 10.50
3. The longest number of elapsed calendar days for a single application from submission to completion. This should represent the total end-to-end time, inclusive of any periods where the application may have been "suspended" or held for third-party enquiries.
The maximum number of processing days for a PVG application, completed between 01 April and 31 December 2025, with suspension time included was 301.59 days.
As part of our application process, we routinely conduct checks with external organisations, which may include:
ACRO Criminal Records Office for EU checks The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service UK law enforcement bodies, including Police Scotland
While we aim to complete applications within our 14-day service level, there are occasions, as with the figure provided above, where we are unable to proceed until all necessary information has been received.
4. A breakdown of completion times in the following bands:a) 0–14 calendar days b) 15–27 calendar days c) 28–41 calendar days d) 42 calendar days or more
Table 2: The number of PVG applications completed between 01 April and 31 December 2025, by processing time period with suspension time included
Time period application is completed within Number of completed applications 0 to 14 calendar days 257,061 15 to 27 calendar days 45,355 28 to 41 calendar days 20,441 42 calendar days or more 11,875
5. Regarding the terminology used in response FOI/202500481722: a) Please provide the internal definitions and criteria used to classify an application as "suspended."
In the context of processing disclosure applications, “suspended” refers to an operational pause on an application while further action is required. This may include contacting third parties for additional information or seeking clarification from the applicant. During this period, active processing is paused until the necessary information is received or outstanding actions are completed.
b) How many PVG applications completed in the time period were classified as "suspended" at any point?
59,059 PVG applications, completed between 01 April and 31 December 2025, had suspension time recorded.
Notes relevant to the responses can be found in the Notes table underneath.
Note number Note text Links to additional information relevant to note, where applicable Note 1 Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) applications from 01 April 2025 onwards, with the implementation of the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020, represents: PVG scheme disclosure (Join), PVG scheme disclosure (Existing), Confirmation of PVG scheme membership (Join) and Confirmation of PVG scheme membership (Existing). How disclosure levels changed - Disclosure Scotland (opens in a new window) Note 2 Please note that the analysis reflects the month in which applications are completed and not the month in which they are received. Not all applications will be issued in the same month in which they are received. Not applicable Note 3 A completed application incorporates all time between an application being received by Disclosure Scotland, through to completion with a disclosure issued to the applicant. Any suspension time, such as, being suspended for customer contact is included in the processing time analysis. Please note, weekend days are included in the number of processing days for applications, but national holidays and Scottish Government public and privilege holidays are excluded. Not applicable Note 4 Please note that the upper bound of each interval is inclusive in the time period groupings in table 2. For example, applications completed within 15 to 27 calendar days, with suspension time included, incorporates all applications completed in a time greater than 14.0 days and up to and including 27.0 days. Not applicable
c) What was the longest continuous period (in calendar days) that any single application remained in a "suspended" status?
The longest continuous suspension time is 146.8155 days.
About FOI
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Contact Please quote the FOI reference Central Correspondence Unit Email: contactus@gov.scot Phone: 0300 244 4000 The Scottish Government St Andrew's House Regent Road Edinburgh EH1 3DG
Detected exemption language
This information is available from our website at the following link: Our performance - Disclosure Scotland Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you.
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