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

[patz7]

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.

Once again, thank you very much for the response.

It has eased my worries. Just a couple of more things, what exactly does a departmental/company records check entail?

Also do you recommend disclosing the incident, or only if i’m specifically asked if they find out?

The form itself I will complete honestly as I have nothing to hide/ be worried about but if I don’t have to mention the incident I won’t.

Also do i need to disclose any fixed penalty notices? i got a fine a few months ago for “fare evasion” because i used my friends railcard on the train because i thought it was “family and friends” but i paid the fine off straight away.
Will this show up on a basic/enhanced DBS check? I have no criminal convictions against my name but unsure whether a fixed penalty notice counts as a caution?

Like you said, this is a small indiscretion that I am ashamed of but I do not pose a threat to national security, i’m just a young person about to enter the next stage of their career.

[northernladuk]

It has eased my worries. Just a couple of more things, what exactly does a departmental/company records check entail?

No idea sorry.

Also do you recommend disclosing the incident, or only if i’m specifically asked if they find out?

From what I remember the form doesn't ask in to that detail. Asks about criminal issues doesn't it? If it asks specifically answer, if it doesn't, don't.

Also do i need to disclose any fixed penalty notices? i got a fine a few months ago for “fare evasion” because i used my friends railcard on the train because i thought it was “family and friends” but i paid the fine off straight away.
Will this show up on a basic/enhanced DBS check? I have no criminal convictions against my name but unsure whether a fixed penalty notice counts as a caution?7

I don't know. Thing is they know what they are doing, if they need to find out they will. We don't know exactly what they look for, how or what effect it does. If everyone knew exactly how the vetting process worked it would be easy to game so no one but them really know.

Stop worrying, fill the form out as it requests you do, put everything it asks truthfully, don't put anything on that it doesn't ask and just get on with it.

Worrying about everything isn't going to help you and won't make a jot of difference to the process.

[BlackCountryContractor]

Fixed Penalty Notices from my recollection are based in 2 forms - Council (Civil) or Police (Criminal)

Matters relating to civil issued FPNs are recorded by the council on their records

Matters relating to Police issued FPNs are recorded on PNC database

Regarding Police FPNs then you need to declare it full stop

Regarding council related FPNs then you need to check if the matter had a criminal-related element to it or if it was a civil-related element (e.g. Fly-tipping is concidered criminal-related whereas Parking Fines are civil-related)

Regarding disclosure of civil FPNs, I will say it is better to disclose but bear in mind you should discuss with vetting about this as you fill out the forms, remember they are there to help you if you have questions.

[Lolly85]

Edit: found the answer

[na764]

my clearance has come through however the role is no longer there. has anyone had this before and what to do in this situation?

[northernladuk]

my clearance has come through however the role is no longer there. has anyone had this before and what to do in this situation?

Try and get hold of someone in security at the client that handled the application. They should still hold it. If the agent is being a pain tell them you need the contact details should you ever need to transfer it. If that doesn't work approach the client direct or find someone on linkedin and start mailing. It's likely it's still valid and they will hold it until it needs transferring.

[malvolio]

Try and get hold of someone in security at the client that handled the application. They should still hold it. If the agent is being a pain tell them you need the contact details should you ever need to transfer it. If that doesn't work approach the client direct or find someone on linkedin and start mailing. It's likely it's still valid and they will hold it until it needs transferring.

Not quite. The clearance is not yours, it goes with the role; no role, no clearance.

However the convention is that the results of the vetting will be held for up to 12 months, and if you get a new offer where the same vetting criteria apply, then you can most likely transfer the original vetting to the new role.

Ignore all the rhubarb about "Must have Security Clearance" from the agencies. Nobody out of a job has security clearance (apart from DV where subtly different rules apply), and you don't need clearance to apply: an active vet as described above is the best you can hope for.

[northernladuk]

Not quite. The clearance is not yours, it goes with the role; no role, no clearance.

It isn't yours but it's useful to have the contact details to pass on or if your next role doesn't need it. Remember PsychoCandy got in a right tiz with it because he didn't take the details of someone that dealt with it and there was a problem in the system when speaking to his new client. Getting the name of the person/group at the last client that dealt with the SC application or transfer could help and can't harm.

Ignore all the rhubarb about "Must have Security Clearance" from the agencies. Nobody out of a job has security clearance (apart from DV where subtly different rules apply), and you don't need clearance to apply: an active vet as described above is the best you can hope for.

Again you are being overly pedantic. They don't but there is active clearance around that can be transfered. And if you do apply without it they will tell you it's an urgent gig and turn you down. So it's not rhubarb at all.

[Aeia]

Again you are being overly pedantic. They don't but there is active clearance around that can be transfered. And if you do apply without it they will tell you it's an urgent gig and turn you down. So it's not rhubarb at all.

Yep, just been told I can't apply for a contract role because I don't hold SC even though the role was advertised as "must be eligible to obtain SC" it's basically a closed market!