Understanding Recruitment & Criminal Records in Northern Ireland (CPD Certified) - Online Training 26 February 2026

CPD-Accredited Online Training | 2 Hours

Did you know there is new legislation proposed for Northern Ireland that will drastically change how criminal record information is disclosed?
The Justice Bill, introduced by the Minister of Justice, Naomi Long, on 17 September 2024, aims to reform various aspects of the justice system in Northern Ireland, including biometric data retention, and it will also bring the first significant changes to the Rehabilitation of Offenders (NI) Order 1978 in almost 50 years — directly affecting how criminal record information is disclosed and used in recruitment and enrolment decisions.

If your organisation carries out criminal record checks, this training is essential.

This 2-hour live online CPD-accredited session is designed for:

• Employers, recruiters, and HR managers
• Those involved in recruiting volunteers
• Staff responsible for enrolling students into third-level courses or placements
• Board Members and Trustees

It equips all participants to stay ahead of legislative change, reduce risk, and make fair and confident recruitment decisions.

Delivered by a Niacro Disclosure Specialist, the session cuts through complex legislation to provide clear, practical guidance you can apply immediately.

Why attend?

Inconsistent approaches to criminal record information can cost organisations valuable time and money. Whether you are recruiting employees, volunteers, or enrolling students into courses or placements, unclear or inconsistent processes can lead to:

• Recruitment or enrolment delays
• Cases being escalated unnecessarily
• Time lost seeking guidance or reassurance
• Perfectly capable candidates or volunteers being overlooked

This training gives you the knowledge, structure, and confidence to make consistent, lawful, and defensible recruitment or enrolment decisions — helping you save time, reduce risk, and recruit or accept the right people fairly, even as legislation changes.

What you’ll learn

• How the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland operates and the difference between convictions and criminal records
• What the Rehabilitation of Offenders (NI) Order 1978 means in practice — and how proposed Justice Bill reforms will significantly change disclosure rules
• How to read and interpret AccessNI Basic, Standard, and Enhanced certificates
• What information is filtered from Enhanced certificates, following changes introduced in March 2020
• The role of the DBS and Barred Lists
• Best practice in assessing and processing criminal record information, including example disclosure statements
• An overview of Disclosure NI services, including a live demonstration of the Disclosure Calculator
• Practical guidance on ‘Ban the Box NI’, with steps to strengthen fair and inclusive recruitment or enrolment processes

Live expert Q&A

Bring your recruitment or enrolment scenarios and questions to a live Q&A with a Niacro Disclosure Specialist, offering direct access to trusted expertise.

What’s included

• 2-hour live online training
• CPD-accredited certificate
• Digital badge for LinkedIn and professional profiles
• Additional resources emailed to attendees after the programme
• Northern Ireland-specific, employer- and enrolment-focused guidance

Pricing

£80 + VAT (20%) per person
Total: £96

Invoices will be issued after attendance, making it easy for organisations to book places in advance.

A small investment to protect your organisation, save time and money, and prepare for the most significant change to rehabilitation legislation in nearly five decades.

This event is online and will be using the Zoom platform. Link will be sent out to registered attendees and we will open up at 10.25am with the event starting at 10.30am sharp on the day.

Bespoke training just for your own team also available

Looking to train multiple staff at your organisation? Our bespoke Niacro sessions can be tailored to your team’s needs, whether HR, recruitment, volunteer management, or student enrolment. Delivered live (in person or online) and CPD-accredited, these sessions provide practical guidance on handling criminal records lawfully and fairly, with the opportunity for questions and discussion that is specific to your organisations unique needs. Contact us today to discuss availability and pricing and ensure your team is confident and compliant in light of the upcoming Justice Bill reforms.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact jonny.pardoe@niacro.co.uk

‍

‍

‍