Security Cleared q's - I've read above sticky but can't find an answer

[dmtech]

New to the forum and need answers asap please.

I've read the sticky on SC but after trawling through page after page I can't find a definitive answer to my questions, so please bear with me and don't think, oh here's another one that hasn't bothered reading above

I've found a contract job that specifically states SC cleared (it does have small print saying that you can apply for this, but I'm guessing they would rather you already were.) I've never come across such clearance and so have been searching for info on it but nothing answers my questions so hoping someone on here can help me out.

I'm currently working at a local authority (large unitary council) and have been for almost 4 years - my contract has just been extended but only for 3 months so I need to find something else asap. Shortly after gaining the job, I had an enhanced crb check done and thought nothing of it, but it went back to my Manager with a note stating that I could only be cleared if they were in agreement!!!!! It all went through HR and the Director of the IT dept and I had to write a letter basically saying, "ooops, sorry for the silly things I did as a typical teenage lad!" Thankfully my manager said it was all fine and laughed it off, but it was a tense few weeks until it reached that decision.

Basically, I was a nimwit average silly lad and I have a record for 2 lots of petty theft and one for speeding/dangerous driving all committed when I was a mere 17 (I'm now 38.) The petty thefts were stealing a car radio and the other was stealing money from B&Q when I worked there at the weekend - yes all very stupid of me but I was a poor student trying to get through college by myself etc etc blah blah......

So, can I apply for a job that requires SC? Will they pick on these crimes and fail my clearance? Will I even be considered for the job if I tell the agency that I have a record from when I was 17? Will the enhanced CRB check I had done and got the all ok for despite the record, be of any worth in being SC cleared? Will working for the Government for the last 4 years and all squeaky clean since age 17 count for anything and enable me to be SC cleared? Is it even worth looking at such jobs that ask for SC clearance or are they incredibly hard to obtain especially when I haven't had such clearance in the past?

Thanks for any help and info, truly appreciated and now that I've found this site, I'm sure I will be back

[TykeMerc]

CRB check won't carry over (SC will look at it and it might save a wee bit of time) they will check it anyway.

The general guideline is that if you FAIL to declare an offence on the SC form then you will stand a very large chance of failing the SC, but if you declare everything then it shouldn't be a massive issue.
SC checks are about evaluating the risks involved in you potentially having access to data and systems that are sensitive, if you're honest about your past then it won't be used to blackmail you into revealing secrets.
If you reveal that you have a past to the Agent (who arguably has no right to know) then you're asking to be rejected at that stage and the client won't even see your CV.

[Normie]

New to the forum and need answers asap please.

So, can I apply for a job that requires SC? Will they pick on these crimes and fail my clearance? Will I even be considered for the job if I tell the agency that I have a record from when I was 17? Will the enhanced CRB check I had done and got the all ok for despite the record, be of any worth in being SC cleared? Will working for the Government for the last 4 years and all squeaky clean since age 17 count for anything and enable me to be SC cleared? Is it even worth looking at such jobs that ask for SC clearance or are they incredibly hard to obtain especially when I haven't had such clearance in the past?

Thanks for any help and info, truly appreciated and now that I've found this site, I'm sure I will be back

I too was a silly boy - got convicted of theft when I was 19. This hasn't stopped me getting SC cleared (and higher). In fact, it was hardly mentioned at all in my interview. Just be honest, and put all relevant info on your form. It may be wise to detach the criminal records part and put it in a sealed envelope (as detailed on the form) if you're worried about prying eyes from the client (the agent won't see the form, so I wouldn't tell them).

[sparkymark]

It isn't an issue at all

All the agencies use the same SC form, with a few ( constabulary as an example ) having extra forms which delve a little deeper into your finances.

In a nutshell, the form asks you to enter all convictions that are NOT spent under the rehabilitation of offenders act.

As these happened so long ago they do not need to be enterred on the form.

If you go onto further clearance ( DV ) then you should expect the bloke with the rubber gloves and cattle prod to raise it in the interview.

For SC you don't need to hide it, as you don't have to mention it at all

[TykeMerc]

Spent or not, better to put them down so that the DVA can decide to ignore them as irrelevant rather than find things you've chosen to not reveal.

[Mr.Whippy]

As these happened so long ago they do not need to be enterred on the form.

For SC you don't need to hide it, as you don't have to mention it at all

Bad, bad advice imo. AFAIK, spent convictions remain on your record which means they can be picked up by clearance checks.

The best advice is simply to declare *everything* and to be honest. If you lie/mislead either deliberately or due to bad advice from an internet forum they *will* know and you'll likely fail clearance. Simples.

[dmtech]

Thanks for all the replies so far - really appreciated. I won't deny or hide anything; I just need to know if I would fail it and if it's worth going for jobs that say "sc needed."

Are posts stating sc, hard to obtain? The job I've found doesn't state how long the contract is for but the job description is everything I'm looking for and in the perfect location, I just don't want to call the agency and be rejected as I don't have sc and then if I were to get in, then be thrown off site for my silly boy antics as a teenager.

Pleased to hear the post from Normie - has anyone else been cleared when they have a record of offenses as a teen?

If I am to be considered and get put through sc, then I will declare everything and just hope it's all ok. I was just concerned after all the red tape at the council when my enhanced crb was scrutinised - I couldn't believe they made a hoohar of the petty things I did as a teen, hence I'm wondering if I can get sc jobs.

Thanks again for any help and advice

[Mr.Whippy]

Pleased to hear the post from Normie - has anyone else been cleared when they have a record of offenses as a teen?

Yes, I've been cleared both to SC & DV in the past after doing things I'd rather not go into when I was 20 I also know people with far worse skeletons in their closet who have also managed to obtain high level clearance.

It was a long time ago, as long as your record since is clean and you're honest then you'll probably be OK as having a record doesn't immediately bar you from obtaining the clearance, it's all done on a case by case basis. Noone here can give you a definitive answer, the only way to find out if you can get clearance or not is to go through the process.

[TykeMerc]

From what you've said about your bad lad past I doubt it would prevent SC from being granted. Plenty of people have received SC and higher clearances with a record.

The biggest obstacle to getting SC roles is the catch22 situation where most agents won't put you forwards for a role unless you already have SC and you can't get SC without being in a role where it's needed. Literally speaking that's going against Cabinet Office rules, but in reality the agents will never admit that they're unlikely to put you forwards. They can also argue that the role is "urgent" and the client can't wait the 6 weeks - 6 months for SC to be done.

It can be a pain in the nads.

[northernladuk]

SC gives you clearance to look at secret an sensitive information. They fact you were convicted of driving offenses or petty theft generally doesn't make you a security risk to the country or organisation you are working for. Not telling them about something makes you dishonest , untrustworthy and unreliable which DOES make you a risk.