Hundreds of classroom assistants are working in schools across Northern Ireland without having an Access NI background check completed, it has emerged.
Education Minister Paul Givan said that, as of January 29, there were 909 classroom assistants working in schools in Northern Ireland who hadn't had their background check completed.
The figures were revealed after a written request from the head of the scrutiny committe for the Department of Education at Stormont, the Alliance MLA Nick Mathison.
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An Access NI check will look for criminal convictions and it's required for certain jobs in Northern Ireland, with an "enhanced" check usually required for anyone working with children or vulnerable adults.
Strangford MLA Nick Mathison had lodged a "priority" query with the Minister through the Assembly's written question mechanism, requesting figures on the number of people "currently working" in schools here as classroom assistants, without an Access NI check.
Mr Givan replied: "The Education Authority (EA) is the employing authority for the majority of classroom assistants working in schools in Northern Ireland. The EA has advised that as of 29 January 2025, 909 classroom assistants are still awaiting the outcome of Access Northern Ireland checks.
"While all classroom assistants are required to complete an Access Northern Ireland check, in the case of a short-term temporary hire or emergency cover appointment it is not always possible to finalise the Access Northern Ireland check prior to engagement. In such situations, the school principal is required to complete a risk assessment and take all necessary steps to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. This includes arranging for staff awaiting the outcome of an Access Northern Ireland check to be supervised at all times by someone who is vetted to work in regulated activity."
He added: "In addition, the EA has processes in place to follow-up and confirm that checks that were not able to be completed prior to engagement have subsequently been completed."
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