Security Clearance (SC) Q&A Read first before asking questions

[ladymuck]

That's gone now, but there is inexplicably a copy of the DV and SC forms on the Guardian's website
DV: https://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-fil...orm_NSV002.pdf
SC: https://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-fil...8Compliant.pdf
(Spooks: nowt dodgy here, they're near enough the first result on Google)

DV could rather boringly be described as like SC but with an additional question about who your grandad is.

Good to note that it's only partners you live with who need to have their inside leg measured.

[PerfectStorm]

Good to note that it's only partners you live with who need to have their inside leg measured.

Indeed - you could be getting shoved into suitcases by anyone - as long as you don't do anything dodgy like cohabiting.

[IT SC newbie]

Hi all,
I have been offered a job which requires SC. I also have two criminal convictions from 11 years ago which resulted in 6 months prison time. I have not declared this on my job application as it is “spent”.

I am happy to go through the process of applying for SC but concerned about how and when to hand in my resignation to my current employer. I am currently on a 3 month notice period.

Obviously I would not want to hand in notice until I am 100% sure there is job for me to go to.

How long is the SC process currently taking and does anyone have an experience or advice for this situation?

[northernladuk]

Hi all,
I have been offered a job which requires SC. I also have two criminal convictions from 11 years ago which resulted in 6 months prison time. I have not declared this on my job application as it is “spent”.

How far down the application process are you? Is this a permanent job? If it's contract it's very unusual for anyone without SC to get a look in. I'd be suprised if it's not too much different for perm roles. Easier to stick someone in that's got it than go through the whole process. Once you've got the job you'll have to go through the SC paperwork where you should declare the convictions even if spent.

I am happy to go through the process of applying for SC but concerned about how and when to hand in my resignation to my current employer. I am currently on a 3 month notice period.

You don't hadn in your notice until you've got an offer and have accepted. Does your prospective employer know you are on three months?

Obviously I would not want to hand in notice until I am 100% sure there is job for me to go to.

Obviously

How long is the SC process currently taking and does anyone have an experience or advice for this situation?

Usually you can start even without SC, you'll just be escorted or not give access to the secure stuff until you've got the gig so not having SC on day one isn't really a problem. I can see the issue here if you aren't sure you'll pass SC clearance though.

[malvolio]

Hi all,
I have been offered a job which requires SC. I also have two criminal convictions from 11 years ago which resulted in 6 months prison time. I have not declared this on my job application as it is “spent”.

snip...

It might be spent but the vetting process will ask you about any and all such stuff so you can't ignore it. They will be discrete about it though.

Whether or not it will impact your clearance depends on two things; what it was for and what the role entails. That said, people with criminal records have got clearance so it's by no means an automatic fail

[IT SC newbie]

How far down the application process are you? Is this a permanent job? If it's contract it's very unusual for anyone without SC to get a look in. I'd be suprised if it's not too much different for perm roles. Easier to stick someone in that's got it than go through the whole process. Once you've got the job you'll have to go through the SC paperwork where you should declare the convictions even if spent.

You don't hadn in your notice until you've got an offer and have accepted. Does your prospective employer know you are on three months?

Obviously

Usually you can start even without SC, you'll just be escorted or not give access to the secure stuff until you've got the gig so not having SC on day one isn't really a problem. I can see the issue here if you aren't sure you'll pass SC clearance though.

It’s a permanent position and I have been verbally offered the position. The contract should be coming through in the next week or so.

Yes my new potential employer knows I’m on a 3 month notice period.

I do really want this job, but equally cannot afford to find myself unemployed if I am declined SC.

I guess my options are to ask when the contract comes through what assurances I have on my position if SC is failed and if the process can be completed before handing in my notice..

[patz7]

Hi all,

I’ve been made an offer for a Degree Apprenticeship at an aerospace company.

I believe SC requires a "Departmental/Company Records Check", and I am a little confused about what this entails.

I had a part time job when I was 18 at a toy store. I was fired for stealing a game, (£80 cost). I was dismissed on my next shift and I paid the money back. Stupid thing to do i know, i was young and naive.

I’m 20 now and I’ve had a 2 jobs since and whenever they’ve contacted them for a reference i don’t think they put down i was dismissed, i think they put down i resigned.

I’ve also requested a data access request to see what the official reason for leaving was but i imagine it was “resignation”

My former manager was really fair and I feel like they’ve put it past them and decided to not disclose it since to future reference checks as I paid the money back and owned up.

I must also add Police were never contacted at all and i was never/have ever been convicted of anything.

Shall i disclose this on my security clearance form because i’m going to have to put my previous employer details anyway and they will probably ask about my character or is it just “dates worked”and “reason for leaving”

shall i get in contact with my previous manager and discuss this?

i’ve had 2 jobs since, one in banking and one in a government department as an AO where i think i had to go through BPSS as a CS and i have a glowing record.

However this was a silly mistake i made in my early career that i fear may jeopardise my chances of getting SC.

Does anyone have any advice?

There are no gaps on my CV as i was a student at the time.

I will put down the employer on my CV but what questions will SC ask the employer when they contact them?

Any help would be so appreciated,

Thanks in advance.

[northernladuk]

Hi all,

I’ve been made an offer for a Degree Apprenticeship at an aerospace company.

I believe SC requires a "Departmental/Company Records Check", and I am a little confused about what this entails.

I had a part time job when I was 18 at a toy store. I was fired for stealing a game, (£80 cost). I was dismissed on my next shift and I paid the money back. Stupid thing to do i know, i was young and naive.

I’m 20 now and I’ve had a 2 jobs since and whenever they’ve contacted them for a reference i don’t think they put down i was dismissed, i think they put down i resigned.

I’ve also requested a data access request to see what the official reason for leaving was but i imagine it was “resignation”

My former manager was really fair and I feel like they’ve put it past them and decided to not disclose it since to future reference checks as I paid the money back and owned up.

I must also add Police were never contacted at all and i was never/have ever been convicted of anything.

Shall i disclose this on my security clearance form because i’m going to have to put my previous employer details anyway and they will probably ask about my character or is it just “dates worked”and “reason for leaving”

shall i get in contact with my previous manager and discuss this?

i’ve had 2 jobs since, one in banking and one in a government department as an AO where i think i had to go through BPSS as a CS and i have a glowing record.

However this was a silly mistake i made in my early career that i fear may jeopardise my chances of getting SC.

Does anyone have any advice?

There are no gaps on my CV as i was a student at the time.

I will put down the employer on my CV but what questions will SC ask the employer when they contact them?

Any help would be so appreciated,

Thanks in advance.

Don't worry about it. I don't even think they put reasons for leaving now. Most companies are too afraid of you suing them for bad references so they rarely give references anymore. Just confirm your start and leaving dates which is all they obliged to do. If they start sharing detailed information as to why you left if you lose a job through incorrect information they are on the hook for legal action.

No need to disclose anything unless asked. Fill in the documentation as asked with the truth and don't worry about ex employers giving detailed references and character checks. It won't happen.

It's possible to pass SC with a whole host of 'issues' in the past. Even crimial convictions and jail time aren't necessarily blockers. They are looking to see if you are trustworthy with sensitive information and if there is anything in your past that can open you up to being coerced in to passing sensitive info on etc. Kids being kids and occassional bad decisions doesn't make you a national security risk.

[patz7]

Don't worry about it. I don't even think they put reasons for leaving now. Most companies are too afraid of you suing them for bad references so they rarely give references anymore. Just confirm your start and leaving dates which is all they obliged to do. If they start sharing detailed information as to why you left if you lose a job through incorrect information they are on the hook for legal action.

No need to disclose anything unless asked. Fill in the documentation as asked with the truth and don't worry about ex employers giving detailed references and character checks. It won't happen.

It's possible to pass SC with a whole host of 'issues' in the past. Even crimial convictions and jail time aren't necessarily blockers. They are looking to see if you are trustworthy with sensitive information and if there is anything in your past that can open you up to being coerced in to passing sensitive info on etc. Kids being kids and occassional bad decisions doesn't make you a national security risk.

Thanks for the reply, I really do appreciate it. Like I mentioned it was a stupid decision and act to carry out and I have learnt from it.

Will SC not be able to access or find out via a Departmental/Company Records check if it’s on my staff file? - this is what i’m worried about most.

I thought they ask previous employers/supervisors what you were like as an employee?

I feel like i’m over worrying but this apprenticeship is my dream role.

Apart from that, i have a clean record and have never been convicted of anything or been involved in any illegal activity so I should be okay in that aspect.

[northernladuk]

Thanks for the reply, I really do appreciate it. Like I mentioned it was a stupid decision and act to carry out and I have learnt from it.

Will SC not be able to access or find out via a Departmental/Company Records check if it’s on my staff file? - this is what i’m worried about most.

I thought they ask previous employers/supervisors what you were like as an employee?

I feel like i’m over worrying but this apprenticeship is my dream role.

Apart from that, i have a clean record and have never been convicted of anything or been involved in any illegal activity so I should be okay in that aspect.

No need to worry. They know what they are doing. They are good at spotting who is a national security risk and who isn't. A couple of blips doesn't make you that so you will be fine. If you had massive gambling debts, dealing drugs, took regular holidays to Afghanistan or other activities that other parties could leverage to get you to steal and sell secrets then you'd be in trouble. Having a daft moment doesn't mean you aren't untrustworthy which is all they are looking at.

Even if they do speak to the other employers they'll be too afraid to say anything but the basics. If they give an opinion that is wrong they'll be on the hook legally and no one wants that for ex employees.

Fill in the forms, do your best and you you'll be judged on your merits, not a minor past indescretion.