Criminal records check

Criminal record checks in Northern Ireland

Organisations that want to request AccessNI disclosure on candidates must either become a registered body (this is only suitable for large organisations) or use an umbrella body that is registered with AccessNI. You can see a full list of umbrella bodies on the Department of Justice for Northern Ireland website

Depending on the nature of the work, an employer may ask for a basic, standard or an enhanced disclosure.

DBS checks for foster care households

The fostering regulations require criminal records checks to be made in respect of anyone applying to become a foster carer and all members of their household aged 18 and over. This is done by means of a check with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). It is established practice for fostering services to update DBS checks at regular intervals.

Criminal record checks

About criminal record checks

UK governments have legislative and statutory guidance that informs the assessment and approval process of fostering applicants including undertaking routine checks. There are slightly different rules for criminal records checks across the UK:

Disclosure Barring Service for DBS checks (formerly known as CRB checks) in England and Wales.

DBS checks in fostering (England)

Key points to consider

Fostering services are responsible for the safety and wellbeing of children they look after in foster care, therefore all appropriate checks during the assessment and approval of foster carers, including other adult household members and where appropriate support carers, must be given the utmost priority and completed to the highest standards.