Reply to: Security Clearance (SC) - Partner with caution

[malvolio]

It was in my case, whilst in forces I had access to some highly sensitive data, now thankfully defunct, as soon as my divorce came through a financial vetting form appeared with some very detailed questions. BTW being in the forces does not mean you are SC. I had to fill in the same forms as in civvy street when posted to the sensitive places.

Agreed. Being skint is probably the most important risk since it leaves you wide open to a whole range of threats from simple theft to bribery and coercion.

As I keep saying don't try and game the system, answer the questions and see what happens. Nobody - not even ex-military - has any kind of a right to being cleared.

[Gibbon]

We don't know what they indicators are but I bet 'being skint' is not a key one.

It was in my case, whilst in forces I had access to some highly sensitive data, now thankfully defunct, as soon as my divorce came through a financial vetting form appeared with some very detailed questions. BTW being in the forces does not mean you are SC. I had to fill in the same forms as in civvy street when posted to the sensitive places.

[NigelJK]

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

IIRC The IoM does opposite sex civil marriages (very sensibly IMO).

[northernladuk]

Thanks all. For the idea of submitting the SC form before my partner moves in, this wouldn't work as I'd have to declare anyone via a change of circumstances form once he had moved in anyway.

I suppose the real question is how much weight will they put to this issue, as it's not my criminal record. The fact that it's a caution rather than a conviction may soften it, but the fact that it's a sexual offence caution which had my partner on the register for 2 years (automatic result of accepting a caution) may negate that point.

No one knows. Wouldn't be much of a system if everyone knew how it worked.

Try applying and see

[LoopieLou]

I'm not sure any vetting agency will be overly pleased when they find your username.

Thanks all. For the idea of submitting the SC form before my partner moves in, this wouldn't work as I'd have to declare anyone via a change of circumstances form once he had moved in anyway.

I suppose the real question is how much weight will they put to this issue, as it's not my criminal record. The fact that it's a caution rather than a conviction may soften it, but the fact that it's a sexual offence caution which had my partner on the register for 2 years (automatic result of accepting a caution) may negate that point.

[northernladuk]

First and foremost SC is about character.

Don't lie or try and cover up anything.

I have heard of partners causing a refusal of clearances before but usually only because the partners were Chinese or Russian etc.

As already stated nothing to lose and from what you have said a good chance to succeed.

One other thing. Why don't you declare your partner now whilst you are in your current contract?

I'm not sure any vetting agency will be overly pleased when they find your username.

[Semtex]

First and foremost SC is about character.

Don't lie or try and cover up anything.

I have heard of partners causing a refusal of clearances before but usually only because the partners were Chinese or Russian etc.

As already stated nothing to lose and from what you have said a good chance to succeed.

One other thing. Why don't you declare your partner now whilst you are in your current contract?

[Lance]

I once worked with a guy who had previous for manslaughter. He was SC cleared. A criminal record isn't necessarily a barrier.

You say your partners going to move in. So why not do the forms before he moves in?
Failing that I'd just write his conviction down. I presume it's lower than manslaughter and it's not his application.

[SueEllen]

I am not so sure they will.

They do know the generic things e.g. nationality, if you have been convicted of a crime in a specific category. No one but the vetting officers know the specific details.

[LoopieLou]

I am not so sure they will.

That was my thought, Northern. There is a number / email address to contact the vetting officers on with any queries about the application, but of course they won't be able to give any specific thoughts until they have the application in complete to make a full decision.

Very frustrating - it now turns out that the contract is probably with the MoJ but via the FCO...

[northernladuk]

They would know what things that would prevent you being cleared.

I am not so sure they will.

[SueEllen]

The thing is as everyone has stated before no one on here can tell you.

The only people who maybe able to give you a clue are the organisation you are doing the work for. They would know what things that would prevent you being cleared.

[LoopieLou]

Perhaps I was t clear in the first postings while ago, so apologies.

I'm currently SC'd - my permie job did this for me and then transferred it when I contracted with them. I'm not living with my partner now so haven't had to notify the relationship. I've been offered the new job on the basis that I've been SC'd before.

The new job also requires SC but, as I worked abroad with my old job whilst SC'd for over 2 years, the new department (as in government department) have said they can't transfer the SC and I'll have to re-apply. So, the new SC application will have both our details on as he'all have moved in by then, hence the question marks.

My main concern is potential fallout - I'll be working with good friends in the new department, and I'm petrified that I'll be frog marched out a few weeks in if the SC fails.

[northernladuk]

Hi all,
Gut feel here ladies and gents - will my SC be refused? Please try and avoid the "you'll just have to try and see" responses - I'm after thoughts beforehand.

You can't demand an answer from people who don't have all the details or any clue about the background process. The only thing we can say is try and see. Nothing else is anything but guesswork.

I am confused about your situation though. Are you applying for a or have been offered one? If you are how are you going to move your partner in on time. If you do want a total guess then it's going to look complicated so the vetting company will ever on the side of caution and say no. I'd say HTH but it doesn't.

I can tell you you were inside IR35 for that last gig though. HTH.

[malvolio]

Hi all,

So my permie job took me on for a short contract when I handed in my notice, so I stayed there for a bit but I'm now back looking at consulting and need the SC. Our living situation hasn't changed, but as before we're thinking of moving in together.

I've done a load of research and the department i'd be contracting for has an FAQ which states that 1) partners are only those considered as living with you, and 2) it actually states that I don't need to supply any criminal record info for the partner.

The reality is we're going to move in together, so that's option 1 ticker. And as I said the FAQ states I only need to supply my partners info, and specifically states I don't need to state whether they have a record, so that's point 2.

Gut feel here ladies and gents - will my SC be refused? Please try and avoid the "you'll just have to try and see" responses - I'm after thoughts beforehand.

Hmmm...

We don't know the client department, we don't know the vetting agency, we don't know the criteria they will apply for their risk assessment, we don't know the role. On that basis, "apply and see what happens" is the only valid answer. Sorry, but as I keep saying there are no hard and fast rules so you cannot give any kind of definitive answer.

But if you want a genuine constructive thought - don't worry too much: for a clearance required role and an uncleared candidate, 99% of agencies won't put you forward anyway.