Security Clearance - Questions about failing

**Wilmslow** · 7 June 2008, 21:11

First off - if the contract is with Atos, think very carefully - I was taken on as a perm, clearance started, client postponed, clearance on hold, hence I left.

Clearance takes from 6-9 months.

Can you work on client site before clearance comes through?

Your client will give you the clearance forms, and you MUST declare this to the client.

Developed Vetting, or the more basic clearance?

If a nice contract in hand, then I would go for that - too many things can happen with clearance, and as a contractor you are easily bumped off for any reason.... However, to get clearance is a great thing to have.

**The Lone Gunman** · 7 June 2008, 22:35

Wilmslow!!!!!
Get it right if you are going to answer here.

Look on the DVA site for info.

Your military service will help here. You will have clearance and I think it is ongoing as you will still be reserve registered. Doing the traces is much quicker through the MoD than civilian.

SC can take up to 6 months but DVA says average is 6 weeks. As above re military service.

You can work on client site. Depends on nature of business. At worst they will have to escort you everywhere while it comes through.
If you dont clear they will want you off site which could affect future contracts with that agent. Dont let it put you off.

Your client/sponsor will give you some forms to fill in. These forms are sent to the security authority. There is a tear off section that you fill in for convictions. You seal it in an envelope and staple it to the rest of the form. Nobody sees it except the clearing authority.

You must declare everything. Lies on the form are instant dismisal and possibly criminal.
They are looking for things that may compromise you so a spent conviction that is public knowledge is of little consequence.

**SueEllen** · 7 June 2008, 22:58

Firstly as you have been in the army after your conviction then it must be very minor as to get into the armed forces they have to do checks on you. All you need to do is declare the conviction on the forms, and don't bother telling the agent or the client.

The forms you put in a sealed envelope and go to some administrative department at the client then eventually to the Defence Vetting Agency. They are only interested if anything about you, your partner or family member means you can be bribed or have any links to terrorism.

My previous clearance took 3 months and that was SC level.

One of my siblings has also been cleared twice and each time it has taken them 3 months. Last time about 18 months ago and they are a contractor as well but not IT.

The only people I know who have DV clearance have already been cleared to SC level.

In addition the client can ask for your clearance to be prioritised but I don't know how much it would speed this up by.

**TheCiscoKid** · 8 June 2008, 10:24

Thanks for the great info! Just what I was looking for. I've explained the situation to my wife so I'll speak to the agent and leave the decision up to my wife... if it doesn't work out then at least she can't blame me!

Thanks!

**nucastle** · 9 June 2008, 13:16

Quick one here, since we are on the subject.

Are the rules about lapses in cleared jobs still in place? I've heard between 12-18 month times stated as the periods after which your clearance is cancelled?

My last cleared job ended late september last year, so im a bit concerned about letting it lapse, given the current market.

**The Lone Gunman** · 9 June 2008, 13:32

Originally posted by nucastle View Post

Quick one here, since we are on the subject.

Are the rules about lapses in cleared jobs still in place? I've heard between 12-18 month times stated as the periods after which your clearance is cancelled?

My last cleared job ended late september last year, so im a bit concerned about letting it lapse, given the current market.

It used to lapse after 12 months and you would need to re apply.
I understand that new clearances last for 5 years.
Not sure when the new 5 year status began.

**malvolio** · 9 June 2008, 14:18

Originally posted by The Lone Gunman View Post

It used to lapse after 12 months and you would need to re apply.
I understand that new clearances last for 5 years.
Not sure when the new 5 year status began.

No, I got caught with that one. The Clearance remains on file for 5 years (for a contractor, 10 for a permie) so you can reinstate it quickly, but you still have to fill out the form and loop through the vetting process after one year off site. Where it does help is if you can persuade your previous SSO to talk to your new one and agree that you've been covered all along; but the chances of that happening for a contractor are vanishingly small.

**scooby** · 9 June 2008, 14:43

Originally posted by TheCiscoKid View Post

Hi everyone,

I've been lurking here for quite some time now but finally need to post a question so had to register. I've been offered a contract with a large communications provider but the role will mean I have to be security cleared. I have a few questions about this and don't want to ask the agent as they obviously don't have my interests at heart and I want the blunt truth.

Basically, I'm already on a contract which is just about to be extended but this one has fallen in my lap. It's a better rate and has the potential to roll for a good while. However, I am concerned what will happen if my Clearance failed. I have a relatively minor conviction which I got a small fine for (<£100) when I was a teenager and I knocked about with a bad crowd. I then joined the Army and have glowing reports throughout my army career and have never been in any trouble since. I am looking to answers to the following if anyone could help:

- How long does SC clearance take to come through?

- What happens if it doesn't clear? ie, booted off site, blacklisted by the agency, will I be paid?

- Who does the security clearance and is it all private? I don't fancy showing I have a conviction to the agency - it's a minor thing but I'm embarrassed by it to be honest.

- Do you think given my situation my concerns are warranted? I intend to declare the conviction if I go for the contract.

Any help or advice you can offer I'd greatly appreciate as I don't want to hop from the contract I'm on to the next, only to be booted off it and looking for work again. I'm highly qualified/experienced so finding work shouldn't take to long but I don't fancy the embarrassment of admitting a conviction and then failing a security clearance.

Many thanks in advance - great forum btw!!

TheCiscoKid

i failed my first app that was done through the IR, however it was then put through the MoD as i'm an ex-squaddie this cleared with no issues (i think a status review was done 18mths after, and then all was clear till 2014). they do take in to account service review as you have already been cleared when signing up.

if Atos i'm assuming DCA?

**TheCiscoKid** · 9 June 2008, 21:39

Originally posted by scooby View Post

i failed my first app that was done through the IR, however it was then put through the MoD as i'm an ex-squaddie this cleared with no issues (i think a status review was done 18mths after, and then all was clear till 2014). they do take in to account service review as you have already been cleared when signing up.

if Atos i'm assuming DCA?

It's not Atos.

So after you failed the first one what happened? Did you get booted off site or are you saying they then forwarded it to the MoD and they cleared it?

Security Clearance - Questions about failing