The safeguarding of young people in our care is our priority. At Scouts, we have various processes in place to make sure only appropriate adults can volunteer with us. This includes a criminal record check.

From the first moments of being a volunteer and then on an ongoing basis, we work closely with the UK Vetting Team to ensure a smooth process is undertaken and every step is simplified as much as possible.

For all volunteers in Scouts NI, our disclosure and criminal record checks are completed via Access NI. Access NI criminal record checks are part of making safer appointment decisions, making sure only appropriate people work with vulnerable groups, including young people.

Once an adult has been added to the membership system on scouts.org.uk they should be invited to attend a face-to-face meeting to check their ID and given this invitation letter which provides guidance. Before the check can begin, the volunteer must create an online account on the NI Direct website.

The volunteer will need to have their original ID documents with them. A list of suitable ID documents is available in the invitation letter.

The ID Checker will find further guidance in the ID Checker’s Guidance, including an ANI pin number specific to Scouts:

  • The ID checker must only accept valid, current, and original documentation and must not accept photocopies.  Documentation printed from the internet e.g. internet bank statements must not be accepted.
  • The ID checker must ensure that the applicant declares all previous name changes and provides documentary proof to support this change of name. If the applicant is unable to provide this proof, ID checkers will need to have a discussion with the applicant about the reasons why, before considering validating their identity.

Further guidance on identity checking is on the ANI website.

Please note that you can request a disclosure only after the volunteer signs in to scouts.org.uk and provides their personal details. If you’re requesting a disclosure for a member who’s under 18, their role’s start date must be before their 18th birthday to allow you to request their disclosure.

On your welcome page: 

1. Click ‘My membership’.

On the top right (if you’re using a phone, click the menu button on the top right): 

2. Click ‘Search member’. 

On the ‘Member search’ page: 

3. Type the member’s name into the text box and click ‘Search’.

4. Click the member’s name on the list.  

On the left-hand side menu, under the member’s name (if you’re using a phone, click the menu button on the top right, then click the member’s name): 

5. Click ‘Disclosures’.  

6. Click ‘Request disclosure’ under the column ‘Action’ (you might need to scroll along using the bar at the bottom of the list). 

On the member’s disclosure page: 

7. Check the member’s details match their ID. 

If you need to correct the member’s details, on the left-hand side menu (if you’re using a phone, click the menu button on the top right) click the member’s name. Click ‘Edit’ where you need to make any changes, click ‘Save changes’ and then return to step 4.  

8. Select one of the application routes.

9. Click ‘Request disclosure check’.

When undertaking an Access NI disclosure, volunteers will need to ensure that they have an Access NI account and then click this link to be directed to the enhanced check page. The applicant then logs in using their own email address and password, once logged on they’ll be brought to stage one where they’ll be asked for the organisational pin which is noted below;

  • Section No. 1 – PIN 386618
  • Section No. 5 – The Scout Association

We ask that all volunteers take a note of the 10-digit case reference number, so that they can trace their application on the Access NI website.

Regulated activity is work that a barred person must not do. This note provides information on the scope of Regulated Activity in relation to children, defined in the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (SVG) Act 2006 and the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007, both as amended (in particular by, respectively, section 64 and Schedule 7, Protection of Freedoms Act 2012). This note is about the law in England and Wales, and in Northern Ireland.  Download a copy here: Appendix Ci – Regulated-activity-children

Barred list checks

People on barred lists are barred from regulated activity with children and vulnerable adults.  It is a criminal offence for someone on these lists to work or apply to work in regulated activity.

The Disclosure and Barring Service keeps two barred lists:

  • People who are unsuitable for working with children
  • People who are unsuitable for working with vulnerable adults

Read more information on the Access NI applications process, and general information on Access NI.

It is a requirement of Access NI’s Code of Practice that all Registered Bodies must treat applicants for Disclosure Certificates who have a criminal record fairly and do not discriminate because of a conviction of other information revealed. It also requires Registered Bodies to have a written policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders. Access NI’s Code of Practice is also available through their website. 

A copy of our policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders is available by clicking here.

We’ll keep certain types of information for different periods of time in line with our data retention policy. Read our Data Protection Policy.

If you would like more information or support around Access NI or our Disclosure process, please contact our team at NI:

HM King Charles III has been confirmed as our new Patron, a great honour for UK Scouts.

The King continues a long tradition of the monarch giving their Patronage, dating back to 1912. This was when Scouts was granted its Royal Charter and HM George V became our first Patron.

Find out more
King Charles III

Our Patron, HM King Charles III