Student Criminal Disclosures

Why Does the College Have A Student Criminal Convictions Disclosure Policy?

Belfast Met aims to treat all applicants fairly and in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders (NI) Order 1978 (as amended), the Human Rights Act 1998 and the General Data Protection Regulation.

However, we also have a duty of care to do everything reasonable to protect our students, staff and visitors from potential harm. Our Student Criminal Convictions Disclosure Policy helps us to balance these responsibilities in order to provide a safe and inclusive College environment.

Disclosure does not usually prevent an applicant from being able to take up a place at Belfast Met. Occasionally, however, the College may decide that an applicant’s convictions prevent them from joining a particular course, or from being able to study at the College at all.

If an applicant does not disclose, and the College later finds out about their conviction(s), they may be refused a place or asked to leave their course. Criminal records checks are carried out via AccessNI before a student can go on any work placement, so it is important to make full disclosure when applying for a course.

Do I Need To Fill In A Criminal Disclosure Form?

Have you ever had a criminal conviction?

YES - Fill in form CDF1 (unspent convictions only) OR Fill in form CDF2 (spent AND unspent convictions)
NO - You don’t need to fill in a disclosure form.

CDF1 Student Criminal Offence(s) Disclosure Form

Most applicants will need to fill in form CDF1 and give information on their unspent convictions only. The Guidance on Student Criminal Disclosures document linked below gives more information on what to include on form CDF1 and on where to send your completed form.

CDF2 Student Criminal Offence(s) Enhanced Disclosure Form

Applicants for courses including teaching, healthcare, social work, counselling, or any other profession or occupation which involves working with children or adults at risk, need to fill in form CDF2. The Guidance on Student Criminal Disclosures document linked below gives more information on what to include on form CDF2 and on where to send your completed form.

Convictions after application

If you are convicted of a criminal offence after you have applied to the College, you must tell us about this by filling in a student criminal offence(s) disclosure form.

Impending prosecutions

Applicants for, or existing students on, courses including teaching, healthcare, social work, counselling, or any other profession or occupation which involves working with children or adults at risk, must also tell us if they are currently facing prosecution for any criminal offence.

More information

For independent information or advice on criminal disclosures, you can contact NIACRO’s Employment Advice Line on 02890 320157 or visit the NIACRO website. For advice on the College policy or procedures, or on which disclosure form to fill in, contact the Head of Student Support on 02890 265054 or e-mail StudentSupport[AT]belfastmet[DOT]ac[DOT]uk.