The successful candidates must be SC cleared - what does this mean?

[Chocolocolate]

My DH is currently looking for a new job and we've come across this line in a job description.

DH meets all of the other requirements but we're not quite sure what the above means i.e. could DH become SC cleared somehow?

Can anyone shed any light?

[mpsw]

It stands for Security Check and is a form of Government security vetting.

I couldn't find an official page describing this, but here's wiki on vetting. I don't know how accurate this page is.

[Chocolocolate]

Thank you,

Is it something you can do yourself - like a CRB check?

[delurked]

Hi Chocolocolate,

It is not really like a CRB check - it involves you filling out a long form and submitting lots of information about yourself/ your family/ finances etc. You will then hear back whether or not you have been cleared (I assume that they check out this info and also make their own inquiries although I don't know exactly how it works -I have been on the end of it but not actually involved iyswim).
What exactly is the wording of the JD - some jobs will stipulate that the candidate must already have SC clearance (in which case I think your DH would be out of the running) whilst others saythat the successful candidate must obtain SC clearance - in which case your DH should be ok to apply and will only have to go through the clearance process after being offered the job.
Time is often an issue as it can take some time for vetting to be completed and so if the vacancy needs to be filled immediately then this may preclude external candidates.

[Grevling]

SC and DV checks can only be carried out by List X companies.

It's also against the rules for them to advertise jobs as "must having SC clearance already" and against the govts own guidelines on the subject except in exception (read: rare) circumstances.

Fill yer boots information overload

[Grevling]

Wow that makes no sense. Should be "except in exceptional circumstances"

[delurked]

Grevling's post is interesting and suggests I may have been a bit pessimistic! I have seen a lot of job ads which require a candidate to already have a particular level of clearance but thinking about it these have probably all been internal vacancies. Good luck to your dh if he does apply.

[bananafanana]

This explains it:-

www.security-clearance.org.uk/

You cannot apply for it yourself like a CRB check. You need a sponsor in the form of an employer. It's needed for companies/agencies who deal with sensitive information that could threaten national security.

Employer submits info to Defence Vetting Agency who checks info against their database. They're basically checking you are who you say you are and your dates correspond to the info you've supplied. They also check your financial history. It's basically to check that your honest, reliable, not potentially susceptible to bribes and haven't spent the last few weeks in a training camp in Pakistan. They also check any people who have been given as references. Think it's fairly rigourous and can take up to a couple of weeks.

They probably want someone with SC clearance to start straight away - contractor maybe? I think most companies still submit new starters even if they have clearance to cover their ar5e. Would probably be a bit sticky if they made a mistake.

[Sam100]

There are different levels of clearance. In the organisation I work for everybody must have basic level security clearance. When they make an offer to you they also send a bunch of paperwork to complete. The job offer is subject to getting clearance but you do not usually have to wait to start the job. Mine came through about 3 weeks after I started.

[EdithWeston]

"The successful candidates must be SC cleared"

I've learned a lot from this thread! Could I point out that this sentence is grammatically ambiguous, and I certainly read it to mean "if you are successful you must be SC checked and no problems found". So if you are not cleared, the job offer can be legally rescinded.

[anonandlikeit]

The final job offer would be subject o succesfull SC clearance, stanadard clearances take a minimum of 30 days. Althought hey've been taking longer lately.
It is highly unlikely that they would be looking for people only with current valid SC clearance, this would limit their potential recruits hugely.
You cannot get yourself SC cleared as you need a sponsor registered with DBS in order to request, process and manage the clearance.
Any previous clearance would have to be transfered to a new employer anyway.

[bananafanana]

That sentence is a bit confusing! Perhaps you should check with the company/agency for clarification.

I work at a List X site. They offer jobs subject to clearance, however, you cannot start work until you are officially cleared which can take up to two weeks. People do fall at the final hurdle so if your DP is planning on applying he needs to be whiter than white with information supplied. He also needs to select his references carefully as they will probably also be checked.

[anonandlikeit]

I'm curious now as to what job/site it is?

[bananafanana]

I wouldn't get too excited. They probably make widgets for warships - hardly 007 territory!

[anonandlikeit]

Haha Banana, i feel like i live in 007 world as i spend all day carrying out SC's - hence the curiousity!

[bananafanana]

Oh ha ha!

Lucky you... I'm just surrounded by sandal wearing, muesli eating, beardy types in white lab coats. Hardly the sexiest place to work...

[anonandlikeit]

I'm surrounded by ex military, shoe polishing types who thinks everyone is a spy :) Theya re all mad, mad i tell ya!!

[Chocolocolate]

Thank you everyone.

DH has applied so we'll just wait and see.

It's a technical administration position - for those who are interested.

[Lizcat]

No one has mentioned the men in black who visit your friends and family to talk to them. I'm not joking an ex-flatmate from Uni joined an agency and the men in black visited us all to check up on him.

[bananafanana]

There are different levels of clearance. It probably doesn't apply in this case!

Top levels are a bit scary. They check up everything and everyone...