Why are you required to apply for a criminal history check? 

You are required to apply for a criminal history check because the activity you will engage in involves working with children and/or adults in ‘regulated activity’ as defined by the Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order, as amended by the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012.  

The current legislative framework requires the University to conduct the highest level of criminal history check (Enhanced Disclosure with barred list Checks) on anyone engaging in regulated activity.  Requesting checks is one of a number of measures the University implements to ensure that children and vulnerable adults are safeguarded.   

Enhanced Disclosure Checks (EDCs) are only requested for the preferred candidate when the post is offered and all offers are subject to a satisfactory check.   

The organisation that processes these checks is called AccessNI (ANI) and it sits within the Department of Justice.  After the check is completed an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate (EDC) will be issued to you from AccessNI.   

Information that may be disclosed on an EDC with barred lists check 

This certificate contains details of any spent and unspent convictions, as well as any cautions, informed warnings and diversionary youth conferences that are not ‘protected’ or ‘filtered’ as per the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Exceptions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1979, as amended in 2014.  It will also indicate if there are no such matters on record.  The certificate will also include details of any cautions and warnings issued in England and Wales or similar disposals in Scotland.    

EDCs may also contain non-conviction information (for example attempted prosecutions which were unsuccessful) that are held on police records which a Chief Police Officer reasonably believes to be relevant to the post applied for and ought to be disclosed (i.e. “soft/police intelligence”).  The police may also include information that is protected or has been filtered by AccessNI on the basis that the Chief Officer reasonably believes it is relevant and ought to be disclosed.   

The EDC will confirm whether you are on the Children’s Barred List or the Adult’s Barred List.   

ANI currently works with the Association of Chief Police Officers Criminal Records Office (ACRO) to disclose information on offences against children by applicants from Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Portugal, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Spain which occurred in their home country.   

Further information can be obtained from AccessNI’s website at the link below: 

Information disclosed in a criminal record check | nidirect 

The disclosure of any criminal conviction etc. may not necessarily prevent you from obtaining a position with the University, however, if you appear on the barred lists it is an offence for you to engage in, or seek to engage in, regulated activity.   

How to Request an Enhanced with Barred List Check From AccessNI

Concerns and Complaints

If you have any concerns or complaints in relation to your enhanced check you can contact AccessNI at the following: 

AccessNI advice and complaints | nidirect  

AccessNI, PO Box 1085, Belfast, BT5 9BD 

Tel: 0300 200 7888  

Email: accessni@ani.x.gov.uk