Safeguarding, PVG & Student Welfare at GSofM
The Glasgow School of Music takes safeguarding seriously. Our recruitment, tutor onboarding, PVG processes, professional boundaries and communication procedures are designed to support a safe, structured learning environment for children, young people and adult learners.
A properly managed environment for music tuition
Music lessons often involve regular one-to-one teaching. For that reason, safeguarding must be treated as part of the school’s operating structure, not as an afterthought.
At GSofM, safeguarding sits alongside tutor suitability, professional conduct, attendance, lesson communication, parent contact, school policies and clear routes for raising concerns.
PVG membership is one part of this wider safeguarding framework. It supports safer recruitment and helps ensure that tutors carrying out regulated roles are appropriately checked through the Disclosure Scotland process.
Clear expectations, professional boundaries and a managed route for communication with the school.
A structured teaching environment designed to support confidence, progress and wellbeing.
Clear onboarding requirements, professional conduct expectations and role-appropriate compliance checks.
What this means for families
Families should be able to start lessons with confidence that the school is professionally managed, that tutors are recruited carefully, and that safeguarding is embedded in how lessons are organised.
Appropriate PVG checks
Tutors carrying out regulated roles must have appropriate PVG Scheme membership for the type of work they undertake.
Safer recruitment
Tutor suitability is considered through recruitment, onboarding, professional standards and role-specific requirements.
Managed lessons
Lessons take place through a structured school environment, with administration, scheduling and policy oversight.
Clear communication
Parents and students have a route to contact the school directly regarding scheduling, concerns, policies or support needs.
Professional boundaries
Tutors are expected to maintain appropriate professional boundaries in lessons, communication and conduct.
Student wellbeing
Our approach supports consistency, confidence and a positive learning environment for children and adult learners.
Current PVG requirements in Scotland
The Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme is managed by Disclosure Scotland. It helps prevent people who are unsuitable from carrying out regulated roles with children or protected adults.
PVG became a legal requirement
PVG Scheme membership became legally required for individuals carrying out regulated roles with children, protected adults, or both.
Five-year membership model
From 1 April 2026, PVG Scheme membership lasts for five years, with renewal required every five years. Existing members may transition according to Disclosure Scotland’s arrangements.
At GSofM, tutors carrying out regulated roles must have appropriate PVG Scheme membership. This forms part of our wider safer recruitment, onboarding, professional conduct and safeguarding procedures.
PVG and GSofM tutors
Tutors working with children or young people may be carrying out regulated roles depending on the nature of the teaching arrangement. Where a tutor is carrying out a regulated role, appropriate PVG Scheme membership is required.
- Tutors must provide the information required for onboarding and compliance checks.
- PVG requirements are reviewed as part of recruitment and tutor administration.
- Role suitability is considered alongside professional experience, qualifications and teaching approach.
- PVG is treated as one part of safeguarding, not a replacement for professional standards.
PVG is not the whole safeguarding system
PVG membership supports safer recruitment, but safeguarding also depends on culture, conduct, communication, boundaries, supervision, reporting routes and clear school policies.
GSofM therefore treats safeguarding as an ongoing operational responsibility, not simply a one-off check at the point of recruitment.
Safer recruitment and tutor expectations
Our recruitment process is designed to consider more than musical ability alone. Tutors must be suitable for a professional teaching environment and able to work within GSofM’s standards.
Recruitment and suitability
We consider teaching experience, professionalism, communication style, role suitability and the needs of the students we support.
Onboarding requirements
Tutors may be required to provide documentation, references, PVG information and other details needed to complete onboarding properly.
Professional conduct
Tutors are expected to maintain appropriate standards of conduct, reliability, communication and lesson delivery.
Ongoing compliance
Safeguarding and compliance expectations may be reviewed as legal requirements, school policies or tutor roles develop.
Professional boundaries and communication
Clear boundaries protect students, families and tutors. They also help ensure that lessons remain focused, professional and properly managed.
Lesson conduct
Tutors are expected to deliver lessons in a professional manner, with appropriate behaviour, language and student support.
Parent contact
Parents and guardians should have a clear route to contact the school regarding lesson arrangements, concerns or support needs.
Student support
Families are encouraged to tell us about medical, learning or access considerations that may help us support the student appropriately.
How to raise a safeguarding or welfare concern
If a parent, guardian, student or tutor has a concern about safety, welfare, professional conduct, communication or lesson arrangements, they should contact the school directly.
Concerns will be reviewed appropriately and handled with care, confidentiality and proportionate action.
If someone is at immediate risk of harm or in immediate danger, contact emergency services on 999.
Safeguarding & PVG FAQs
These answers are designed to give families a clear overview of how PVG and safeguarding fit into the school’s wider approach.
What is the PVG Scheme?
The Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme is managed by Disclosure Scotland. It helps ensure that people who are unsuitable to work with children or protected adults cannot carry out regulated roles.
Is PVG membership legally required?
Yes. PVG Scheme membership is legally required in Scotland for individuals carrying out regulated roles with children, protected adults, or both.
Does every tutor need PVG membership?
Tutors carrying out regulated roles must have appropriate PVG Scheme membership. The requirement depends on the nature of the role and the type of work being undertaken.
Does PVG guarantee safeguarding?
No. PVG is an important part of safer recruitment, but it is not the whole safeguarding system. Safeguarding also includes professional conduct, communication, boundaries, policies and reporting routes.
What changed in April 2025?
From 1 April 2025, PVG Scheme membership became a legal requirement for individuals carrying out regulated roles with children, protected adults, or both.
What changed in April 2026?
From 1 April 2026, PVG Scheme membership lasts for five years, with renewal required every five years. Existing members may transition according to Disclosure Scotland’s arrangements.
How does this affect trial lessons?
Trial lessons are arranged through the school’s normal administrative process. Where a tutor is carrying out a regulated role, appropriate PVG requirements form part of the school’s tutor compliance procedures.
Who should I contact with a concern?
Please contact The Glasgow School of Music directly at info@theglasgowschoolofmusic.co.uk or through the contact page so the matter can be reviewed properly. If someone is at immediate risk of harm or in immediate danger, contact emergency services on 999.
