Which AccessNI check do you need? A guide for employers in Northern Ireland

If you're familiar with DBS checks in England and Wales, AccessNI is Northern Ireland's equivalent. But while the purpose is the same, protecting the public and supporting safer recruitment - the eligibility rules, terminology, and expectations differ.

Whether you're onboarding new staff, reviewing your vetting policies, or navigating checks for the first time, understanding AccessNI levels is essential. Here's a clear breakdown of what each check covers, who it's for, and how to stay compliant.

This blog refers to AccessNI checks in Northern Ireland only. Eligibility depends on where the role is carried out, not where the person lives.

Basic check

What it covers:

• Unspent convictions only

Who it’s for:

• Any individual, regardless of role or sector
• Employers who want a basic overview of an applicant's criminal record

When it's used:

• For roles with no legal requirement for vetting
• In the private sector, retail, finance, or administration

A basic check can be requested by the individual or the employer with consent. It’s commonly used when there's no formal safeguarding requirement but a general risk assessment still supports it.

Standard check

What it covers:

• Spent and unspent convictions
• Cautions, informed warnings, and details of youth conferences (if recent), which are used as part of restorative justice in Northern Ireland

Who it’s for:

• Roles with legal entitlement under the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Exceptions) Order (NI) 1979
• Staff working in courts, probation, certain legal or financial services

When it's used:

• Where a role involves a position of trust or access to sensitive information, but not direct contact with vulnerable groups

Standard checks require legal eligibility and must be requested by the employer. You cannot apply for this level as an individual.

Enhanced check (with or without barred list check)

What it covers:

• Everything in the standard check
• Relevant information held by the police
• (Optional) Barred list checks for work with children and/or adults

Who it’s for:

• Roles involving regular, unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults
• Teachers, healthcare staff, carers, youth workers

When it's used:

• For positions classed as regulated activity under safeguarding law

The barred list component should only be requested if the role involves regulated activity. Requesting it without legal grounds can breach the law.

Getting it wrong: Why it matters

Choosing the wrong level of check can lead to more than paperwork delays. It can mean:

• Breaching legal vetting limits (if you over-check)
• Missing safeguarding risks (if you under-check)
• Damaging trust in your hiring process

Employers must also consider filtering rules, which remove certain older or minor offences from disclosure. Even when a check is done correctly, not all convictions will appear. Serious offences always appear and are never filtered.

Applicants usually must be 16 or over to apply for AccessNI checks. Exceptions exist for under-16s in specific cases, such as fostering or childcare roles.

Standard and enhanced checks must be requested through an AccessNI-registered or umbrella body. Individuals cannot apply for these levels directly.

Key questions to ask

To determine the right level of check, start with:

• Does the role involve regulated activity?
• Are you legally entitled to request a standard or enhanced check?
• Will the person have access to vulnerable groups, or only sensitive information?

If in doubt, review AccessNI guidance or speak with a trusted screening provider like Giant Screening. Eligibility isn’t always intuitive and guessing can lead to non-compliance.

Summary comparison:

AccessNI plays a crucial role in safeguarding in Northern Ireland, but using it correctly means knowing what you can request and when.

At Giant Screening, we help organisations get it right the first time. From eligibility to submission, we support every step of your AccessNI process and build it into your wider screening strategy.

Need advice on which roles need what? We're ready when you are.