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SC clearance with a caution, help required.

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    SC clearance with a caution, help required.

    Hi there,

    I have a question regarding getting Security Clearance, hopefully someone can help me or point me in the right direction to get information.

    I'm hoping to leave my job shortly and start a contract role where I will be required to have SC.

    I'm worried that I won't get SC due to the following offences.

    10 years ago I was arrested for ABH, as someone smashed up one of my shop windows, but the outcome was no further action.

    18 months ago, I got very drunk and bought some cocaine, I was subsequently arrested for being drunk and disorderly and got a fine, but was also given a caution for possession of a controlled substance.

    What are my chances of getting SC?

    Thank you all in advance.

    Jack

    #2
    Unlikely I would have thought.

    But zero if you don't divulge all those details as part of the application process.

    Comment


      #3
      Thanks - there goes that idea!

      Comment


        #4
        I've had 2 SC's - one with the DVA and the other with the FCO; during the last one (FCO) I disclosed I was currently in an IVA and insolvent - they couldn't have given a monkeys.

        As far as I can tell, and in my last 2 permie roles all the workers were SC cleared, it doesn't really matter what you've got in your past as long as you declare it and are open about the details. The point of clearance is to see if you can be blackmailed or are open to bribery etc. it's not a moral judgement on your character.

        Just my view and opinion....and hope it all goes well

        Comment


          #5
          Thanks, that's encouraging, I'll post back with the outcome of I do decide to go down this route.

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by walesdave View Post
            I've had 2 SC's - one with the DVA and the other with the FCO; during the last one (FCO) I disclosed I was currently in an IVA and insolvent - they couldn't have given a monkeys.

            As far as I can tell, and in my last 2 permie roles all the workers were SC cleared, it doesn't really matter what you've got in your past as long as you declare it and are open about the details. The point of clearance is to see if you can be blackmailed or are open to bribery etc. it's not a moral judgement on your character.

            Just my view and opinion....and hope it all goes well

            I agree with Walesdave, having gone through two SC clearances and possess a somewhat colourful past was nervous at the start of the first, afterwards you'll wonder what he fuss was, just be honest and declarer everything.

            Comment


              #7
              The one guy on the forum who posted that he was refused SC had a squeaky clean record but after much discussion the consensus was it was probably because he had a Chinese girlfriend.

              In the end you won't get a reason, it's either accepted or refused and if you are refused, you're in good company, it's not necessarily because you've done anything wrong, it's simply they see you as a risk.

              I reckon you are more likely to be refused if you have some unpaid debt outstanding rather than a previous conviction.
              I'm alright Jack

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by BlasterBates View Post
                In the end you won't get a reason, it's either accepted or refused and if you are refused, you're in good company, it's not necessarily because you've done anything wrong, it's simply they see you as a risk.
                Agreed - I worked on one project where they went through three contractors in the month because they failed clearance about a week into the process.

                No idea why, but they were escorted off site and never returned.
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                Comment


                  #9
                  Just fill in the forms and let them decide, I wouldnt write you off on what you have said.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Read the Security Clearance guide on the right hand sidebar.

                    The point of clearance is not to decide if you are a criminal or not, it's to determine if you are trustworthy and whether you are open to bribery or coercion by a third party.

                    The vetting staff already have the answers to the questions on the form. What they are doing is checking what you say against what they know. If you lie or omit anything then they will spot it and your application will be chucked out.

                    For the assault I doubt that will be an issue provided you disclose it.

                    The caution for possession may be problematic if they think that your perceived drug habit may put you in a compromising position at some point.

                    You wont be told the reasoning for any decision, all you will get is a cleared/rejected outcome, nor will anything concerning your vetting be shared with your employers / clients.
                    "Being nice costs nothing and sometimes gets you extra bacon" - Pondlife.

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