Ultimately it is for the employer to determine whether to accept a previously-issued AccessNI check. However you should consider the following before making a decision:
If you are contacted by another organisation about a previously issued AccessNI check, you should not disclose any information in that check without the express permission of the applicant. To do so may be in breach of the Data Protection Act.
The default position for on-line applications is that a disclosure certificate will be issued digitally to the applicant if there is no criminal history information to be disclosed – if information is being disclosed, a paper certificate will be issued by 1st class mail.
The applicant can view and share this digital certificate from their nidirect account. Digital certificates include a watermark which reads ‘NOT A VALID CERTIFICATE WHEN PRINTED’ – employers should not, under any circumstances, accepted a printed copy of a digital certificate.
Applicants can request a paper AccessNI certificate by checking the appropriate box when completing the on-line application. An AccessNI paper certificate contains a number of security features which can be used to verify whether it has been counterfeited or altered in any way.
The latest AccessNI certificates have the word 'DOCUCHECK' watermarked into the paper on which they are printed.
If you are unsure whether an AccessNI certificate is genuine or if you think that it may have been altered, you should contact the AccessNI Helpline on Tel 0300 200 7888.
Links
[1] https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/work-involving-children-and-adults-your-obligations
[2] https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/apply-online-enhanced-check-through-registered-body
[3] https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/accessni-criminal-record-checks
[4] https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content-category/employment-and-skills