Volunteers
Access NI will provide free disclosure services to volunteers who meet the AccessNI definition; subject to the exclusions set out below. Please note that all applications for basic disclosure must be paid for. Basic disclosures are not suitable for volunteers who work closely with the vulnerable.
Anyone who gives their time in a position in a non-profit organisation, free of charge, doing something for the good of the community or a voluntary group (for which they may get travelling and other out-of-pocket expenses) and which is not for their own benefit or for the benefit of a close relative.
This policy has been developed to make good on a longstanding commitment made by the Government to make special provision for volunteers under the new service.
It is important however that the provision of free disclosures operates fairly and efficiently. This means that we wish to avoid situations where customers are meeting costs which should rightly be carried by government; or where the government is effectively double funding some organisations by giving direct financial support as well as free disclosures. This would place an undue burden on paying customers - which will include a number of organisations in the not-for-profit sector.
It is therefore our intention to exclude from eligibility for free disclosures volunteers within the two specific and narrowly defined categories outlined below. The exclusions attach to the delivery of statutory services or funding supplied for defined projects. In each case, the exclusion proposed is not intended to remove support from volunteers but rather to recognise the provision of government funding from another source.
Exclusions
The exclusions are:
- where the person is volunteering directly for a Statutory organisation; or
- where the person is volunteering for a non-profit organisation in a position which delivers statutory services under contract or in a specific project, for which that organisation has received funding from the government which includes provision covering the costs of disclosures for volunteers.
This is not about removing support from the non-profit sector, rather we are seeking to ensure that the support comes from the right place. It focuses on the activity of the individual rather than the organisation as a whole, therefore other volunteers in the same organisation, but working in a separate area, can still receive free disclosures.
In negotiating a contract price or making a funding application, non-profit organisations must therefore ensure that they include provision to meet the cost of disclosures where required.
The Government believes the exclusions set out above represent an equitable approach which allows AccessNI to operate at a neutral cost to the government, at a fair price to our customers, whilst maintaining support for volunteers.
To assist organisations to manage the introdcution of AccessNI; in the early period of operation we will be flexible in the application of this definition to ensure that it does not create any undue hardship.
Exclusions from eligibility for free Disclosures
Below gives some examples and the reasoning behind them.
1. The person is volunteering directly for a Statutory organisation.
e.g.: befriender/ mentor, parent accompanying children on school outings
Where a person is volunteering directly for the Government it is right that this cost should be met by the Government itself, rather than by paying customers.
2. The person is volunteering for a non-profit organisation in a position which delivers statutory services under contract or in a specific project, for which that organisation has received funding from the government which includes provision covering the costs of disclosures for volunteers.
e.g.: contracted out mental health services, contracted out residential services, youth diversionary projects
If the government has already provided funding for disclosure costs, it would be unfair on paying customers to then double-fund the organisation by providing free disclosures as this drives up the cost of disclosures overall.
To be clear: disclosures for volunteers working in such organisations but in different areas will continue to qualify for free disclosures.
Please Note – disclosure costs should be included in any contracts or bids for future funding.
