Garda Vetting

Under the National Vetting Bureau (Children & Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012-2016 all people undertaking relevant work with children or vulnerable adults need to be vetted by the Garda National Vetting Bureau.

The Barnardos’ Vetting Service is assisting with the processing of Garda Vetting for a number of groups / individuals who undertake relevant work with children at the request of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA).

All new groups/services (excluding childminders) wishing to apply to The Barnardos’ Vetting Service for vetting have to contact the GNVB in the first instance to establish if they are undertaking relevant work.

PLEASE NOTE SELF- EMPLOYED CHILDMINDERS SHOULD CONTACT THE BARNARDOS’ VETTING SERVICE DIRECTLY AND DO NOT NEED A GNVB REFERENCE NUMBER.

The contact information for the Garda National Vetting Bureau is:

Telephone: 0818 488 488

Email: [email protected]

If your group / service is approved by the Garda National Vetting Bureau you will be given a reference number by the GNVB.

The Barnardos’ Vetting Service will be unable to process applications for new groups / services without this reference number.

If you are not already registered with Barnardos, please contact us to establish if we will be able to assist your organisation/group with your vetting requirements, following registration with the GNVB.

JANUARY 2021 – IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR SERVICES ALREADY REGISTERED WITH THE BARNARDOS’ VETTING SERVICE.

During early 2021 all services already registered with the Barnardos’ Vetting Service who have not yet obtained a GNVB reference number (excluding childminders) will be required to do so to ensure compliance with the NVB Act and the undertaking of relevant work within the Act in order to process vetting applications.

Existing groups/services without a GNVB Reference number (excluding childminders) wishing to apply to The Barnardos’ Vetting Service for vetting have to contact the GNVB in the first instance to establish if they are undertaking relevant work, and should follow the steps as per a new service outlined above.

What is the process?

1. Group/ service contacts the GNVB to apply for a reference number.
2. Once a reference number is received from GNVB -- Group / service contacts Barnardos’ Vetting Service – and will be issued with an Information Pack and application form.
3. All Barnardos documentation, application forms and proof of GNVB reference to be posted to the Barnardos’ Vetting Service.
4. Applicant receives a link via email to complete their application online.
5. Barnardos’ Vetting Service review the completed application and submit to the NVB for processing.
6. NVB completes vetting checks and issue result on e-vetting system to the Barnardos’ Vetting Service.
7. Barnardos’ Vetting Service print and post the result to the service who submitted the request.

How long does vetting take?

Currently the processing time is 2-3 weeks.

Reasons for delays

• 40% of requests have missing paperwork missing or forms that are filled in incorrectly
• Over 10% of vetting invitations expire without the applicant completing the online form due to incorrect email address being given on the application form

How to avoid delay

• Read the information pack provided carefully
• Use the checklist in the pack each time you forward a request for vetting
• Ensure email address is legible and correct

The applicant can track the progress of their application at every stage of the process.

Therefore, once the process is started, organisations are advised to keep in touch with the applicant to ensure that they have received an email from the NVB and they complete the online application without delay.  

Advice to applicants

1. The National Vetting Bureau and Barnardos do not deal directly with applicants for vetting.
2. Applicants with queries about the process should contact the organisation that has requested them to complete the Garda Vetting process.
3. Make sure your email address is legible and correct. If you have included numbers make sure they are clearly distinguishable from letters, e.g. the number zero (0) can easily be read as the letter O.
4. When completing the invitation form you must put a tick in the box beside your signature and you must include the date you signed the form. (Common mistakes include entering your year of birth beside your signature rather than the current year.).
5. When logging into the e-vetting system make sure you do not put a space at the end of your email address as this will give an “invalid email address” message.

If you have any queries when completing the online form, there is a user guide provided by the National Vetting Bureau on their website.