Security Clearance (SC) - Partner with caution

[missinggreenfields]

The SC form doesn't allow me to give details on his past, other than his details, which is where we would have openly put the information in, so there's no opportunity to expand on him before they do their checks on him (I'm assuming they'll do full checking on him too if I name him?).

Page 6, question 6: "If you have any other information which you feel may be appropriate (e.g. if your partner already holds a security clearance, or is in government employment) please enter the details on the continuation sheets (pages 23 and 24)."

[LoopieLou]

you say you don't live together, so I assume you're not marries/in a civil partnership too.

When I went through SC clearance I think it asked about your spouse, probably anyone you are co-habiting with. I'm not sure what category your 'partner' would fall under if you're not married and aren't living together, so would they even ask anything about them?

As others have said, just answer each question honestly and see what they say. I wouldn't go out of your way to mention them or their past if it doesn't specifically ask about them.

Hi, thanks for the reply - we're not married/in a civil partnership.

I've managed to find some guidance on the government department website which provides some clarification for what they consider to be a partner, along the lines of "if you are not married to/living with your partner, you are not required to provide their details". It then states that you need to provide details of your spouse, whether or not you live with them. So it seems to be that if you're not married and not living together, you don't have to provide the details. However, it then states that if the situation changes, a change of circumstances form must be completed, so I could leave him off for now, but when we move in together I'd need to tell them anyway.

What I'm trying to avoid is leaving my current permie job, going to work on a contract and finding that I end up failing the SC and getting kicked off the contract... that's my main concern.

[LoopieLou]

Page 6, question 6: "If you have any other information which you feel may be appropriate (e.g. if your partner already holds a security clearance, or is in government employment) please enter the details on the continuation sheets (pages 23 and 24)."

I've just noticed that, so perhaps that's the place to put that he has a caution. I'm assuming that they do background checks on partners at SC level, so leaving it out could suggest we tried to hide it. I believe they don't do partner background checks at BPSS or CTC level from a conversation that I had years ago with a VO, but that may well have changed.

[missinggreenfields]

What I'm trying to avoid is leaving my current permie job, going to work on a contract and finding that I end up failing the SC and getting kicked off the contract... that's my main concern.

You're right to be worried about a contract being terminated early. That's part of the risk of being a contractor, though - the client can terminate for pretty much any reason, so as long as you're aware of that the reason behind it is irrelevant.

[FrontEnder]

Hi, thanks for the reply - we're not married/in a civil partnership.

I've managed to find some guidance on the government department website which provides some clarification for what they consider to be a partner, along the lines of "if you are not married to/living with your partner, you are not required to provide their details". It then states that you need to provide details of your spouse, whether or not you live with them. So it seems to be that if you're not married and not living together, you don't have to provide the details. However, it then states that if the situation changes, a change of circumstances form must be completed, so I could leave him off for now, but when we move in together I'd need to tell them anyway.

What I'm trying to avoid is leaving my current permie job, going to work on a contract and finding that I end up failing the SC and getting kicked off the contract... that's my main concern.

I see where you're coming from. Are you likely to be working on only (or mostly) SC cleared contracts? If not, there's plenty of places that don't require it, so there's always that if you have to leave this one.

As someone else mentioned there's always the risk of getting canned for a variety of reasons, it's just part of being a contractor. If you want certainty that this won't be a problem, it's probably best to put his details on as a partner and state that you will be moving in together shortly, or in the other details section.

Also, when are you going to be moving in together? If it's 6 months away, that's plenty invoices and a good opportunity to build up your warchest. If it's in the next couple of weeks, that's obviously a bigger risk.

[malvolio]

Is it worth pointing out that trying to game the clearance system is a seriously bad idea? For one thing they likely know the right answers anyway.

Just answer the questions as best you can. If you fail then that's a shame, but trying to be smart at this point means you won't ever pass. And if you want certainty, don't go contracting

[FrontEnder]

Is it worth pointing out that trying to game the clearance system is a seriously bad idea? For one thing they likely know the right answers anyway.

I don't think anyone has suggested this.

[stek]

Just for the record civil partnerships are for same sex couples only.

[LoopieLou]

Is it worth pointing out that trying to game the clearance system is a seriously bad idea? For one thing they likely know the right answers anyway.

Just answer the questions as best you can. If you fail then that's a shame, but trying to be smart at this point means you won't ever pass. And if you want certainty, don't go contracting

Not helpful - I'm clearly not trying to "game" anything. I'm asking for thoughts on the process in my situation and not trying to fake it, and making sure what they consider a spouse v partner etc.

[northernladuk]

Just for the record civil partnerships are for same sex couples only.

Dat's discrimination dat is.