Reply to: SC Application (unfortunately I have history)

[centurian]

Good job they didn't find out he was gay huh?....I thought there was a test for that?

Not sure if this applies at SC, or the higher DV level, but if they find out you are secretly gay - and go to great lengths keep it hidden, then this might open you to blackmail, which would be a concern for them.

In theory someone with a "bit on the side" (or a history of repeatedly doing it) should get the same treatment - not sure if they do though

[herman_g]

Regarding the "also gay" remark. No intentions to offend.

The individual I mentioned was openly gay, a great colleague to work with as well as to hang out with at the pub.

However, he was one of those guys who you just had a "feeling" was hiding a thing or two. Probably had some embarrassing thing like a bath house raid in his past.

Whatever it was, it seemed the security guys were having a laugh and just never approved ( or refused ) his SC - it drove the poor guy nuts! He was on contract for about a year and was the only colleague who didn't get his SC.

[Normie]

I also had a black mark on my record - stole some food from other students fridge when at uni. Got a conviction and fine for theft. This was over 20 years ago. It hasn't stopped my getting SC and DV clearance, so I would say go through with the application and be honest.

[dspsyssts]

One guy ( bit of a dodgy guy - also gay) was quite worried since he never heard anything back at all. He finished off his contract and still never heard anything.

Good job they didn't find out he was gay huh?....I thought there was a test for that?

[herman_g]

I worked with a client who did work for the bank of England. Told us up front the main concerns were that we were completely honest - had to list speeding tickets when I was 16 years old.

We all got our SC's. Took about five months - everyone just forgot about it and one day an email showed up.

One guy ( bit of a dodgy guy - also gay) was quite worried since he never heard anything back at all. He finished off his contract and still never heard anything.

[Wanderer]

I am in the process of completing a HO SC application. The problem arises from an indiscretion in my youth.

My question is: Is it even worthwhile submitting my application for SC only to receive the inevitable rejection or is there a chance that by giving details of the offence that my SC might be granted.

Welcome!

I think you should go right ahead and apply, you will never know if you don't try. It sounds like you are prepared to be completely open and honest about what the past so that gets a tick in the box. If they want to talk to you about it then tell them that although it's in the distant past it's one of those lessons you learn while growing up and one that you would never forget (etc etc).

Good luck!

[SueEllen]

Personally, I think theft will be taken rather seriously. It's 11 years ago however and you were still really a teenager but on the other hand you were nearly an adult and at that age should know better.

In general youth offenders, which what the OP was, are treated differently to adult offenders.

The reasoning behind this is to try and stop them going into a life of crime and the adult prison system due to making a "mistake" when they are young.

If you talk to, have worked with and have dealt with 16 and 17 year olds you can see how immature a lot are. (Obviously they don't suddenly mature when they are 18 but the cut off point has to be somewhere.)

In this case the rehabilitation of offenders act is 2.5 years compared to an over 18s 5 years.

[BolshieBastard]

It's all about disclosure, I told the vetting officer I'd had the odd spliff over the years but it didn't affect the outcome.

No, not necessarily. This person got done for having a spliff ie its on their record.

You just owned up to having a spliff so I assume you didnt get done and have it on your record.

[malvolio]

It's all about disclosure, I told the vetting officer I'd had the odd spliff over the years but it didn't affect the outcome.

That's the point, They're testing your honesty and your liability to be blackmailed or coerced. Not telling the truth is a lot worse than the original offence, as far as they are concerned. And if you think they don't already know your history, you're deluding yourself.

Be honest. It's what clearance is all about.

[gingerjedi]

Well when I was working on the CRB Project for the HO back in 2001, we had someone start. They lasted a day. Turns out they'd got done for having a spliff about 7 or 8 years previously.

They were told not to come in the next day as they'd fail the SC check.

So your indiscretion may or may not go against you.

It's all about disclosure, I told the vetting officer I'd had the odd spliff over the years but it didn't affect the outcome.

[BolshieBastard]

Hi,

New poster here and would appreciate any advise you could offer.

I am in the process of completing a HO SC application. The problem arises from an indiscretion in my youth.

When I was 17 (now 28) I was working in a bank and stupidly stole a small amount of money (less than £200). I understand this was an incredibly dishonest, stupid and wrong thing to do.

I was convicted of theft and sentenced to 80 hours community service and the repayment of the stolen monies.

Now, I appreciate that this could well (and probably WILL be) classed as a fraud offence after reading other threads on this site.

My question is: Is it even worthwhile submitting my application for SC only to receive the inevitable rejection or is there a chance that by giving details of the offence that my SC might be granted.

This offence is the only black mark I have against my record and the subsequent 11 years have been completely law-abiding (no driving/speeding offences etc).

Any advice/opinions you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,

KP

Well when I was working on the CRB Project for the HO back in 2001, we had someone start. They lasted a day. Turns out they'd got done for having a spliff about 7 or 8 years previously.

They were told not to come in the next day as they'd fail the SC check.

So your indiscretion may or may not go against you.

[northernladuk]

How does the rehabilitation of offenders act effect this?...do you have to admit to all past offences even if they are spent then?

It doesn't really thinking about it. That has more to do with the legal side. An SC check is what it says.. a check. You could in the eyes of the law be clean and so on but they can still take certain issues from the past as evidence as to whether to give you SC...

Bit like insurance takes 5 years speeding offences but law takes 3... Might have been misleading that so forget that bit.

[cojak]

NLUK's excellent SC sticky

[dspsyssts]

How does the rehabilitation of offenders act effect this?...do you have to admit to all past offences even if they are spent then?

[northernladuk]

Thing is you can only get SC by being sponsored by a List X company. You don't just apply like for a job. This must mean that the OP is either...

A) Applying for a role that they will put him through SC in which case you are in a bit of a pickle. If you tell them they may drop you depending on your contract signing situation as there is a chance you can fail. Bearing in mind it takes 4 weeks they will not be happy with this. I hate to say but I would just fill the form in and keep schtum. That way the agent/client cannot get rid before the result is found.

B) In a permie job in which case you have to be honest. They can't sack you if you fail and it is no biggie

C) You are in a contract role already and they need to you apply. Only you would know the in's and out's of that situation so will have to judge whether to be honest with the client or apply anyway..

A bit more information would be useful here....