All those working in regulated activity (coaching young people) must undergo an AccessNI Enhanced level check with a Barred List Check.
This sort of check can only be undertaken by a Registered Body which in the case of cycling clubs in Ulster is Cycling Ulster.
AccessNI checks are administered by our Admin Officer Gemma McNamara.
All completed forms to be emailed to gemma.mcnamara@cyclingireland.ie
Please see the Safeguarding Page and Downloads Page for more information including the recruitment of ex-offenders and the secure handling of data provided by AccessNI.
Step 1 A club identifies certain positions within their club either paid or voluntary which they believe meet the criteria for an individual to undergo an Enhanced level check with a Barred List Check. Examples of this could be;
- a coach who works with young people or adults defined as vulnerable under the Protection of Freedoms Act.
- a driver who regularly transports young people or adults defined as vulnerable.
- a volunteer who, though not a coach, takes responsibility for the safety of young people or adults defined as vulnerable during training events or tournaments
- those who travel to away trips matches, particularly overnights
This list is only an example and is not exhaustive.
Step 2 The Designated Club Official with responsibility for recruitment and vetting, gives the individual coach/volunteer a copy of the AccessNI ID Validation form to apply for a Disclosure Certificate online.
Step 3 Once the individual applicant has completed their online form notification of this is sent automatically to the governing body (if they are administering the checks directly).
Step 4 ID verification check is completed online by Gemma McNamara and processed to AccessNI
Step 5 When Access NI receive a request for an Enhanced Disclosure with a barred list check Access NI will check each individual’s details against;
- The Criminal Record Viewer – which contains the NI criminal record,
- The Police National Computer – which contains the GB criminal record
- Relevant Disqualification Lists
- Information held by relevant Police Forces throughout the UK for any additional non conviction material, including cases pending, which the Police consider relevant for Disclosure.
Step 6 Cycling Ulster will track the progress of the AccessNI application and if notified information has been returned on an application then the individual will be contacted directly and asked to produce the original certificate. Cycling Ulster will then review the information and make any necessary decision in keeping with Cycling Ireland’s Vetting Policy. At this point the applicant can chose not to show the Certificate and withdraw from the position for which the check was carried out.
Having a criminal record will not necessarily debar you from working with Cycling Ulster/Cycling Ireland. This will depend on the nature of the position, together with the circumstances and background of your offences or other information contained on a disclosure certificate or provided directly to us by the police.
A copy of Cycling Ulster’s Policy on Ex-Offenders can be found HERE.
Cycling Ulster has its own policy on the Secure Handling of AccessNI Information. You can download a copy of the policy HERE