Justice Minister Naomi Long has announced a significant update to Northern Ireland's background check system, enabling self-employed individuals and personal employees working with vulnerable groups to obtain AccessNI Enhanced checks.

The move is designed to provide parents and those managing private care arrangements with greater security. Under the new provisions, people hiring private tutors, therapists, or home carers can now request to see a candidate's AccessNI Enhanced check before a service begins. Previously, the system only permitted these high-level disclosures for individuals employed through formal organisations, such as hospitals or schools. This left a gap for those engaging services privately, often within their own homes.

Minister Naomi Long welcomed the change: "I'm delighted to be able to introduce this change today and to confirm that the statutory provisions covering this have been updated accordingly. Safeguarding vulnerable people in our society is of utmost importance to us all. This change closes a long-standing gap in the criminal history disclosure process and will provide much assurance to many parents across Northern Ireland."

The Enhanced check provides a detailed criminal history, ensuring that those working in close contact with children or vulnerable adults do not have a recorded history of abuse or relevant convictions.