Updates and Information on Vetting Procedures
Vetting in Swim Ireland
Vetting checks are required every three years for adults and young people aged 16/17 years, working with or responsible for young people in Swim Ireland. It is your responsibility to apply for and/or maintain your vetting credential following the instructions for applying and bearing in mind the requirements of our Vetting Policy. There are two vetting processes for Swim Ireland:
National Vetting Bureau (NVB) for relevant activities undertaken in Ireland.
Access NI for relevant activities undertaken in Northern Ireland.
Both processes have legal requirements which must be met by Swim Ireland. Please check the Vetting Policy and the application forms for further information.
NEW NVB UPDATES:
ID Validation for NVB Vetting Applications
The process for NVB vetting will be changing in 2026.
1. Complete your NVB application form with ALL the requested details; it must be signed by you, the applicant. Printed or copy signatures are not accepted.
2. Complete Parent/Carer consent form, if required; signed by a parent/carer and included with the application.
Parent Carer Consent Form DOWNLOAD
3. Verify your ID – follow the ID Validation for NVB Vetting Applications for getting this done.
4. Post your forms and documents (do not email). including all the required documents/copy documents as per ID Validation for NVB Vetting Applications to:
Swim Ireland Vetting, ISHQ, Blanchardstown, Dublin, D15 DY62
If you have any queries, email vetting@swimireland.ie
You should read the application form with instructions
ANI Summary of Instructions (July 2023) DOWNLOAD – all these steps are required
The Access NI application for an enhanced check is a two-part process – you need to complete the online application first and then the paper form.
1.Create or login to your NIDirect Account (OPEN) and complete the enhanced check application, you will need to use an email address for this.
2. ANI Declaration and Application Form (April 2025) DOWNLOAD making sure the declaration and your 10 digit case number is filled in. You do not need to show the declaration to the person verifying your ID documents, however it must be signed by you.
3. Complete Parent Carer Consent Form DOWNLOAD, if required; signed by a parent/carer and included with the application.
4. Verify your ID by showing yourself and your original ID documents (check Section 3 and Section 4 for what is required) This person MUST complete Section 3 of your application form.
5. Post or email your forms and documents within 21 days including the original application form, copies of your ID documents and if required, the parent consent form to the address on the ANI application form.
Post: Swim Ulster Vetting, Bangor Aurora, 3 Valentine Road, Bangor, BT20 4TH
Email: ruth@swimulster.net
6. Online applications will be removed after 21 days if no correctly completed ANI Declaration and Application Form is received.
If you have any queries email ruth@swimulster.net
August 2025 update: the NVB process is due to change shortly; we had hoped this would be in place in time for the affiliation rush on vetting however it is delayed with the development of the new NVB application form. It is likely that the process will now change in late August – date to be decided. Once the process changes this will be publicised together with details on how to apply.
Note: that once the changeover is made the current forms will be phased out very quickly in order to remain compliant with the National Vetting Bureau requirements.
May 2025 update: The National Vetting Bureau (NVB) have requested that identification documents used to verify the address of an applicant are less than 6 months old. In reality this means any document used to verify your address must be dated within 6 months of the witness verifying your ID (Section 2 of the NVB Application Form). If you use your driving licence as proof of your address this MUST have been issued within the last 6 months. Any proof of address used outside these parameters cannot be accepted and will be returned to the applicant in line with the requirements of the NVB.
April 2025 update: the Access NI process is changing on 3rd April 2025. There are significant changes to the online process, whereby you will need to upload ID documents – please upload a photographic ID and your birth certificate. All the instructions will be on the newly updated ANI Declaration & Application Form which will published on 3rd April when the change comes into effect. To avoid your application being rejected please read these before submitting your application.
Access NI applicants can request the Access NI Code of Practice Access NI and Garda Vetting applicants should be aware that a criminal conviction does not automatically bar an applicant from obtaining a position – all decisions are based on the Swim Ireland Vetting Policy.
If you have any questions on the vetting process or requirements please contact the Vetting Department at vetting@swimireland.ie or Ruth (ruth@swimulster.net)