Enhanced Disclosures
An Enhanced Disclosure contains all of the information in the Standard Disclosure plus other relevant information held in police records. It also clearly indicates whether the applicant is on the ISAs Childrens list or Vulnerable Adults list and therefore is barred from working with those groups.
Relevant information in police records can include information about attempted prosecutions that were unsuccessful or behaviour that might be indicative of criminal activity.
Applications for Enhanced Disclosures are made by Applicants and must be countersigned by a Registered Body as part of the recruitment or staff review process.
An Enhanced Disclosure will be issued where the Registered Body makes a statement which states that it is required for both an "exempted and a ‘prescribed purpose’ under Part V of the Police Act 1997. In the context of AccessNI’s services, ‘prescribed purpose’ relates only to the Enhanced disclosure process.
Enhanced Disclosures for those working with the Vulnerable
Where a job involves working with vulnerable people, the Registered Body must also make clear in the Application that a search against the Lists is required.
Who is eligible for an Enhanced Disclosure?
Enhanced Disclosures are used mainly for positions that involve contact with children or vulnerable adults.
The type of work will involve regulated or controlled activity, as defined in the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order 2007 or regularly caring for, supervising, training or being in sole charge of young people; or regular contact with residents of care homes or providing services to unwell, infirm or disabled people.
For further information about regulated or controlled activity you can contact the VBS Helpline on 0300 123 1111.
Enhanced Disclosures are also issued for certain statutory purposes or specific posts such as seeking a licence to drive a taxi, seeking a licence under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations, judicial appointments and appointments by or under the Crown.
Regulations under Part V of the Police Act 1997 set out or ‘proscribe’ the positions which are eligible for an Enhanced Disclosure. The most recent piece of legislation is the Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) (Disclosure) (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 - SI 2009 No . 245
A position which appears in the regulation is said to be a ‘prescribed purpose’ for an application for an Enhanced Disclosure.
