In Northern Ireland, criminal record checks are carried out by AccessNI.

AccessNI provides three levels of check, ‘basic’, ‘standard’ and ‘enhanced’, and issues a ‘disclosure certificate’ for whichever check it carries out. For most positions, employers can only ask to see a basic disclosure certificate, which provides information about unspent convictions. However, when appointing people to certain positions, employers are permitted and often legally required to apply for standard or enhanced checks.

AccessNI checks are sometimes also needed by self-employed people, who can apply directly to AccessNI for a basic disclosure certificate. Alternatively, depending on the type of work that they carry out, the organisation that hires them may have to apply to AccessNI for standard or enhanced checks to be carried out on them.

This factsheet describes the different types of AccessNI check and explains who can apply for them. It also explains the circumstances in which employers can accept a previously issued AccessNI check, rather than requiring a new one.

The rights and duties of employers outlined in this factsheet also apply when charities and other not-for-profit organisations are appointing volunteers.