Reply to: Basic Security Clearence

[MarillionFan]

I had to get SC for my latest role for a company that actually prints money!! It doesnt actually grow on trees. Its cotton. It grows on bushs!

[Wonderstuff]

They ask you if you have a cock and an arsehole, if you reply "yes" they say "go **** yourself then."

[Asterix]

To Malvolio

I wouldn't be posting if I didn't mate. But like with most here, it has expired. Not wanting to contradict what you say, it's a bit of a closed shop, so once you're in, you can be in for a long time. Anyway, there are pitfalls for going in without having a current clearance, as there can be some jobsworthy security guards who insist on escorting you everywhere (even to the gents!) if you don't have one.

[errorista]

In the 'Contractors and Consultants' section:

'A number of commercial organisations advertise for staff with security clearances. This practice is neither necessary nor desirable, and is strongly discouraged by the MOD.'

I suspect that multiple agency databases of SC people seeking employment is not in the interests of national security.

[malvolio]

1. You don't need security clearance for Banking (inc. investment banking)
2. You only need BC for most Gov't Depts (SC only rarely)
3. DV is only asked by MoD
There seems to be a lot of misconceptions about security clearance, but don't be afraid to go for it unless you've recently been to Pakistan and your name is Mohanmmed.

You poor naive fool... Do you have clearance by any chance?

[Asterix]

Just to clear things about clearances...

1. You don't need security clearance for Banking (inc. investment banking)
2. You only need BC for most Gov't Depts (SC only rarely)
3. DV is only asked by MoD
There seems to be a lot of misconceptions about security clearance, but don't be afraid to go for it unless you've recently been to Pakistan and your name is Mohanmmed.

[lORD lUCAN]

No. Police checks don't even cover different constabularies, it seems - friend of mine lost a gig becuase his local force's clearance wasn't good enough for his potential client.

Each of the major ministries (Home, Foreign, DTI and MOD) have their own systems, although they work to the same rules. It is not certain that having MOD clearance won't mean you'll need re-clearance for a DTI role (although obviously it helps!).
As for "I think we'll be seeing a huge number of government vacancies on controlled sites over the next few years" - Let's put it this way: about 10% of the contractor workforce has clearance and therefore are at the head of the queue for any such work, so why would they want to open it up to the rest?

Only reason I could see would be sheer weight of numbers although, tbh I do agree with you, in the sense that the 10% would get the first batch of work. And probably leave nothing for anyone else!

Another thing to bring into the equation would be any NHS work, especially if the standardisation rollout is still in the pipeline. Having spoken to an agent not so long ago, he had been asking if I'd had any SC clearance in view of future work. This must all help though. GSK , Investments and Corporate clients have all cleared me when working on their sites. We'll see what happens, but at least its a start. From what i hear sometimes you cannot get clearance for love or money, so at least its a step in the right direction.

[The Lone Gunman]

just ouf of interest in a criminal record check do you have to declare cautions ?

It tells you on the form. You can ignore parking fines and similar. Not sure about cautions but I would imagine the answer would be yes.
The form has a detatchable section to put yor criminal record on which you are supposed to remove and seal in an envelope. The only person who will see this is the security officer dealing with your case.

It is best to put down everything. If you are not sure then admit it. They will find out and if you lied you are in trouble.

[malvolio]

No. Police checks don't even cover different constabularies, it seems - friend of mine lost a gig becuase his local force's clearance wasn't good enough for his potential client.

Each of the major ministries (Home, Foreign, DTI and MOD) have their own systems, although they work to the same rules. It is not certain that having MOD clearance won't mean you'll need re-clearance for a DTI role (although obviously it helps!).
As for "I think we'll be seeing a huge number of government vacancies on controlled sites over the next few years" - Let's put it this way: about 10% of the contractor workforce has clearance and therefore are at the head of the queue for any such work, so why would they want to open it up to the rest?

[lORD lUCAN]

Glad this came up, I've just agreed to some short term consultancy work for the Police, nothing major, just a short stint, but am going through the Security Clearance checks, which tbh, I'm more than happy about, license to print money in my opinion. I think we'll be seeing a huge number of government vacancies on controlled sites over the next few years. Anyone else know if Police checks would cover MOD sites too?

[churkus]

just ouf of interest in a criminal record check do you have to declare cautions ?

[Asterix]

The bitch

Cherie ?

[The Lone Gunman]

I had to give personal referees.

They were just friends who had known me for ages. I basically chose 2 people who have respectable and boring jobs where if they had any form of criminal conviction they couldn't work in their chosen career. (And they were completely traceable as well.) All they had to do is fill in a form and post it. Chose people who you know will fill in forms quickly and will send them in. Remember to check if they have done so as I had to nag one of my referees to put it in the post.

One of my personal refs is DV cleared herself and sometimes works at 10 Downing Street.

[Miss Ellie]

I had to give personal referees.

They were just friends who had known me for ages. I basically chose 2 people who have respectable and boring jobs where if they had any form of criminal conviction they couldn't work in their chosen career. (And they were completely traceable as well.) All they had to do is fill in a form and post it. Chose people who you know will fill in forms quickly and will send them in. Remember to check if they have done so as I had to nag one of my referees to put it in the post.

[SSC M]

thanks anyway it was usefull

M