Criminal records disclosure policy (Northern Ireland)

It’s for all employees and volunteers in Northern Ireland.

For England, Wales and Scotland, see:

Criminal records disclosure policy for England and Wales

Criminal records disclosure policy for Scotland

• A person who is barred from working or is unsuitable to work with children or vulnerable adults will be breaking the law if they work or volunteer, or try to work or volunteer, with these groups.
• It is also illegal to employ anyone who has been barred or is unsuitable, so we undertake a vetting and barring check to make sure that everyone we employ or who volunteers with us doesn’t pose a risk. 
• AccessNI, part of the Department of Justice in the Northern Ireland Executive, is responsible for criminal record disclosure checks in Northern Ireland.
• There are four types of AccessNI check: basic check, standard check, enhanced check or enhanced check with barred list check. The check needed will depend on the role. 
• Enhanced checks are only available on people working in ‘regulated activity’.

Line managers/recruiting managers are responsible for deciding the required level of disclosure check and ensuring the checks are carried out in accordance with this policy; seeking advice from the local people team on any aspect of the policy, or clarity on eligibility for a check, where needed.

Local people teams (LPTs)/recruitment team/volunteer advisors are responsible for the administration of the disclosure checking process and supporting managers to ensure required checks are carried out in accordance with this policy; and when it is necessary to make a referral to the relevant regulatory bodies.

People Strategy & Projects Team are responsible for endeavouring to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory obligations; and keeping up-to-date with any AccessNI policy or procedural changes and updating this policy, and other associated forms or processes, accordingly. 

Please also see the policy on 'Storage, Handling, Retention and Disposal of Disclosure Policy (Northern Ireland)'. This policy ensures that we abide by the obligations of AccessNI and the relevant laws for storing and handling criminal record disclosures.