Who Uses AccessNI?

AccessNI’s services can be used by individuals or organisations in situations where an employer requires a job applicant to supply criminal history information. This may be an application made directly by the individual or through a potential employer as part of the recruitment process.

Individuals do not register to apply for a Disclosure Certificate but they can apply to AccessNI directly for a certificate of their unspent criminal record.

Organisations should register to apply for Disclosures to safeguard vulnerable people in their care, or where they need to protect certain sensitive aspects of their business. Some organisations are required by law to consider the suitability of an applicant for certain positions or to ensure that they are not barred from working with children or vulnerable adults.

Some possible examples are given below:

where an organisation has a duty of care towards children or vulnerable adults;
where an organisation intends to employ individuals to work in regulated regulated position and/or care positions within the meaning of the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (NI) Order 2003 (POCVA) or the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order 2007.
where an organisation recruits staff who work in positions covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Exceptions) Order (Northern Ireland) 1979;
where an organisation supplies staff to other organisations and is required to carry out recruitment checks; or
where an organisation has agreed to apply for Disclosures on behalf of other organisations.