Stronger safeguarding checks for those working with vulnerable groups
Date published:
Justice Minister Naomi Long has announced that self-employed people and personal employees working with vulnerable groups across Northern Ireland will be able to obtain AccessNI Enhanced checks.
This means that those hiring private tutors, carers and therapists, among others, will be able to ask prospective candidates for sight of their AccessNI Enhanced check before commencing or continuing with a service arrangement.
This will give them greater peace of mind that the people who they let through their front door, or those they send their children to, do not have a history of abusing vulnerable people.
Under the current system, only those working for an organisation, such as a school or hospital, could request this information.
The Minister said:
“I’m delighted to be able to introduce this change today and to confirm that the statutory provisions covering this have been updated accordingly.
“Safeguarding vulnerable people in our society is of utmost importance to us all. This change closes a long-standing gap in the criminal history disclosure process and will provide much assurance to many parents across Northern Ireland.”
For further information about how to obtain AccessNI Enhanced checks, visit the relevant pages on the nidirect website.
Notes to editors:
- This measure amends the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Exceptions) Order (Northern Ireland) 1979. By creating a new exemption within this Order, the full criminal record, including spent and unspent convictions (subject to filtering rules) can be disclosed for those undertaking self-employed / personal employment roles with vulnerable groups.
- In addition to the disclosure of criminal record information, Enhanced checks can also include disclosure of any police information considered relevant by the chief officers, and whether the individual has been barred from working with children or vulnerable adults.
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