{"alias":"contentPage","byline":null,"standfirst":null,"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"type":"Plain","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAll applicants are now required to have a Northern Ireland Direct account (NIDA LOA2) before they apply for an ANI Criminal Record check.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOnce an applicant has an NIDA LOA2 account, they can apply for an Access NI Criminal Check Application and, under the new requirements, the applicant themselves will need to upload 2 identify documents. NI Direct will verify the applicant\u2019s identity but there is still a legal responsibility for The Scouts to satisfy themselves of the person\u2019s identity and a requirement to review the identity documents.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EPlease note that Access Northern Ireland recommends that one of the identity documents is a Birth Certificate. If applicants do not have a Birth Certificate, they can request a copy from the General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI).\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAll criminal record checks issued by Access Northern Ireland will now be in digital format.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf there is adverse information on your certificate this does not mean that you will not be able to volunteer for Scouts but it will need to be viewed and risk assessed by the HQ Safeguarding Team.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf you have adverse information on your certificate, you will need to \u2018Share\u2019 it digitally with the Disclosures staff in the Scouts HQ Safeguarding Team via your nidirect account.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe email address to use when sharing your certificate is: \u003C/strong\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022mailto:Disclosures@scouts.org.uk\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Disclosure\u0027s email address\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDisclosures@scouts.org.uk\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFind out more about what you need to do on this page.\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#ffe627","title":"1 September 2025 update","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003ECertain roles at Scouts require a criminal record check. To find our which roles require criminal records checks, please see \u003Ca href=\u0022/por/16-adult-roles/\u0022 title=\u002216. Adult Roles\u0022\u003EPOR Chapter 16: Teams Table\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EAccess Northern Ireland (AccessNI) criminal record checks\u0026nbsp;\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAccessNI criminal record (disclosure) checks are part of making safer appointment decisions, making sure only appropriate people work with vulnerable groups, including young people.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003ECreating an AccessNI application\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOnce an adult has been added to the membership system on scouts.org.uk, they should be provided with:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Col\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe link to an online copy of the \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://prod-cms.scouts.org.uk//media/k4qbjfeb/applicants-guidance-ani-sept-2025.docx\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Applicant\u0027s Guidance ANI Sept 2025\u0022\u003EApplicant\u0027s Guidance\u003C/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;which explains the application process step by step.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe 6-digit PIN number as they will need this to create their account.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ol\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EApplicants will need to have an NIDA LOA2 Account.\u003C/strong\u003E They may have a NI Direct account already if they\u2019ve, for example, recently renewed their driving licence or for Covid certification. They can tell if it\u2019s updated to a LOA2 account by how they log on, as they would have multifactor authentication (secure code via phone/email) log on. Guidance can be found at \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/publications/guide-creating-nida-loa2-account-accessni-applications\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Guide to creating a NIDA LOA2 account for AccessNI applications\u0022\u003EGuide to creating a NIDA LOA2 account for AccessNI applications\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EApplicants should follow the instructions on the \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://prod-cms.scouts.org.uk//media/k4qbjfeb/applicants-guidance-ani-sept-2025.docx\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Applicant\u0027s Guidance ANI Sept 2025\u0022\u003EApplicant\u0027s Guidance\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/strong\u003E and create their Access NI Criminal Check application. Further guidance is on the \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/accessni-criminal-record-checks\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022AccessNI website\u0022\u003EAccess NI website\u003C/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;Under the new requirements, the applicant themselves will need to upload 2 identify documents from the List of Acceptable Documents. These will need to be uploaded so they are clear and can be easily read.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPlease note that Access Northern Ireland recommends that one of these documents is a Birth Certificate. If applicants do not have a Birth Certificate, they can request a copy from the General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI).\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EReviewing ID documents\u0026nbsp;\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOnce the applicant has completed their Access NI application and has a \u003Cstrong\u003Ecase reference number\u003C/strong\u003E, they should be invited to attend a face-to-face meeting with a Scouts\u2019 ID Checker to view the 2 \u003Cstrong\u003Eoriginal\u003C/strong\u003E documents that the applicant has already uploaded to their application. They should share the \u003Cstrong\u003Ecase reference number\u003C/strong\u003E with the ID Checker.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EUnder the new requirements, the applicant\u2019s identity will have been verified by NI Direct, via their NIDA LOA2 account however it remains a legal requirement within the disclosure process for The Scouts to be satisfied as to the applicant\u2019s identity.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Cstrong\u003Eoriginal\u003C/strong\u003E identity documents supplied by applicants must be reviewed by the ID Checker to ensure that they exactly match the application and there should be a discussion with the applicant to ensure that all previous, current, known by and maiden names are included in the application.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe ID Checker will find further guidance in the \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://prod-cms.scouts.org.uk//media/lz2dsq10/id-checkers-guidance-ani-july-2026.docx\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022ID Checker\u0027s Guidance ANI Sept 2025\u0022\u003EID Checker\u0027s Guidance\u003C/a\u003E, including an ANI pin number specific to Scouts.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe ID checker must only accept \u003Cstrong\u003Evalid, current, and original documentation\u003C/strong\u003E and must not accept photocopies. Documentation printed from the internet e.g. internet bank statements must not be accepted. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe applicant \u003Cstrong\u003Emust record all previous, current and known by names\u003C/strong\u003E and provide documentary\u0026nbsp;\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf there are missing names or incorrect information on the AccessNI application, the applicant will need to update their NIDA LOA2 account first then revisit their AccessNI application.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOnce the ID Checker his satisfied with the applicant\u2019s application, they will complete the application on scouts.org.uk.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003ERechecks\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EScouts require volunteers to update their criminal record check every 5 years. If a volunteer requires a recheck, the ID Checker must use the \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://prod-cms.scouts.org.uk//media/mq3dankc/rechecks-guidance-ani-september-2025.docx\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Rechecks Guidance ANI September 2025\u0022\u003ERechecks Guidance for Applicants\u003C/a\u003E. There is also guidance on rechecks for the ID Checker in \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://prod-cms.scouts.org.uk//media/lz2dsq10/id-checkers-guidance-ani-july-2026.docx\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022ID Checker\u0027s Guidance ANI Sept 2025\u0022\u003EID Checker\u0027s Guidance\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EIssuing of the AccessNI criminal record check\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAs from 1 September 2025, all applicants will receive a digital disclosure certificate that they can view from their NIDA LOA2 account. Paper certificates will no longer be issued.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EApplicants will receive an email from AccessNI to inform them that their disclosure certificate has been issued. They will be advised to log into their nidirect account to view their certificate and will have the screen option to \u2018Share\u2019 their certificate by entering the relevant email address of their employer or voluntary organisation. This is the Scouts\u2019 HQ team.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe email address for applicants to enter is \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022mailto:Disclosures@scouts.org.uk\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Disclosures email address\u0022\u003EDisclosures@scouts.org.uk\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPlease note, AccessNI checks are just one element of the National Vetting Process. The issuing of the certificate doesn\u2019t yet mean the volunteer\u0027s membership is full and complete. The HQ Safeguarding Team will consider any adverse information on the certificate along with all information. The membership system will confirm the status of a volunteer\u0027s membership.\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EFurther guidance\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ERead more \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/index/information-and-services/crime-justice-and-the-law/accessni-criminal-record-checks/accessni-applications.htm\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Apply for an AccessNI check\u0022\u003Einformation on the AccessNI applications process\u003C/a\u003E, and\u202F\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/accessni-criminal-record-checks\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022AccessNI Criminal Record Checks\u0022\u003Egeneral information on AccessNI\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/publications/accessni-code-practice\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022AccessNI Code of Practice\u0022\u003EAccessNI\u2019s Code of Practice\u003C/a\u003E is also available through their website.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EA copy of our policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders is available on request from\u202Fthe \u003Ca href=\u0022/contact-us/\u0022 title=\u0022Contact us\u0022\u003EScouts Support Centre\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe\u2019ll keep certain types of information for different periods of time in line with our\u202F \u003Ca href=\u0022/about-us/policy/data-retention-policy/\u0022 title=\u0022Data Retention Policy\u0022\u003EData Retention Policy\u003C/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ERead our \u003Ca href=\u0022/about-us/policy/data-protection-policy/\u0022 title=\u0022Data Protection Policy\u0022\u003EData Protection Policy\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":"Discover the criminal record check process for volunteers in Northern Ireland as of 1 September 2025.","pageType":null,"location":null,"browserTitle":"Criminal record checking process in Northern Ireland","versionDate":"15 July 2023","reviewDate":"01/01/0001","redirectUrl":"","id":47103,"nodeName":"Northern Ireland","title":"Northern Ireland","type":"contentPage","image":{"url":"/media/10478/scouts-logo.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1db789232a4a190","caption":"Scouts Logo","type":"jpg","size":30784,"width":800,"height":450,"altText":"The Scouts logo"},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Criminal record checking process in Northern Ireland ","headerSubTitle":"Discover the criminal record check process for volunteers in Northern Ireland as of 1 September 2025","headerCta":"","headerCtaText":"","headerCtaLink":"","headerBackgroundColour":"ffe627","showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":[{"caption":"","title":"Digital tool guides","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/volunteer-experience/digital-tool-guides/","newWindow":false}]},"subHeader":"Discover the criminal record check process for volunteers in Northern Ireland as of 1 September 2025.","silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC80NzEwMyJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/criminal-record-checks/northern-ireland/"}