Volunteers QA
Q. Will all volunteers have to pay for disclosures?
A. No. Although there are some exceptions, volunteers working in not-for-profit, non-government organisations will be eligible for free disclosures if they meet the criteria.
Q. What are the criteria?
A. Subject to the exceptions below, anyone who gives their time to a non-profit, non-government 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 will be eligible for free standard or enhanced disclosures from AccessNI.
Q. What are the exceptions?
A. There are two narrowly defined exceptions to eligibility. These 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.
Q. Why have you made these exceptions?
A. The free service for volunteers is made possible by means of cross-subsidisation from paying customers. This means that every free disclosure given to a volunteer increases the price of disclosures for paying customers. Through these exclusions we are seeking to reduce the burden on paying customers by recognising that, in the situations above, the government will either be paying directly or supplying funding to the organisation in question as part of an agreement to deliver statutory services or through a project grant.
Q. Aren’t you discriminating against certain types of volunteer?
A. No. The Government recognises the enormous contribution made to the community in Northern Ireland by all volunteers. We are simply trying to ensure that the Government support being provided is properly managed and controlled and is supplied through the right channels. We wish to avoid the situation where the Government is, in essence, paying organisations twice for the same thing. As AccessNI operates within a cost recovery framework, such “double funding” would result in higher costs for other customers as it is ultimately they who cover the costs for the voluntary sector. We believe this policy strikes the right balance between support for the voluntary sector and fairness to paying customers.
Q. Aren’t you reneging on Government commitments to support volunteers?
A. No. The Government remains committed to providing appropriate and continuing support to the voluntary sector. This policy is about ensuring that this support comes from the right place.
Q.Many organisations rely on volunteers to deliver important services: aren’t these charges only going to disrupt this?
A.We have developed this policy to avoid the situation arising where an organisation has to cease functioning because they cannot afford disclosure charges. Where we are charging a fee this is because support can be made available from Government through other sources. The charges should therefore not prevent organisations from continuing to do the good work they have always done. Of course, the impact of this policy will be kept under continual review.
Q.Why isn’t there a consistent policy throughout the UK?
A.This is a complex issue and local characteristics must be taken into account. Each jurisdiction of the UK has developed a policy which is appropriate for them and while we may learn lessons from the experiences of others, we must operate a system which works fairly for Northern Ireland and is sustainable in the long term. Though it is difficult to measure with any precision, it is generally agreed that Northern Ireland has, proportionally, a larger voluntary sector that the rest of the UK and we must deal with that locally.
Q. The current system is free – why is it necessary to charge a fee at all?
A. The new charges are required to fund the comprehensive improvements being made to the system and to ensure that the system remains sustainable in the longer term. Public money is a precious and finite resource and it is the duty of government to continue to look for ways to reduce the burden on the public purse.
Q. These charges are simply going to force people to stop applying for disclosures.
A. A criminal history disclosure can be an important part of the recruitment process for certain employers. They can help employers protect those in their care as well as their business. In cases where an employer is working with vulnerable groups there may be a legal obligation on them to check potential employees. In all cases, when considering a recruitment process, employers should complete a risk assessment on the position which takes account of this assessment of suitability. In the national context, we believe that the prices for AccessNI services represent good value for money.
Q. Do students and others on work placements qualify for free disclosures?
A. No. As people on work placements positions can expect to receive a personal material benefit, for example, a qualification, from the position, they do not qualify as a volunteer.
Q. How can I get a free disclosure?
A. You must be a volunteer meeting the criteria set out above. Applications for free Standard or Enhanced disclosures must be made through an organisation registered with AccessNI and eligible to apply for free disclosures. Your application must make clear what activities the position entails to allow AccessNI to consider your application. Paid employees do not qualify for free disclosures. Basic disclosures are excluded from the free disclosure scheme.
Q. If I need an Independent Safeguarding Authority disclosure will it be Free?
A. Policy on the funding model for the future ISA is being developed this includes covering the cost of applications for volunteers. Further advice will be provided as becomes available.