Anyone heard of SC Clearance?

[devon2018]

Hi All,
Newbie here and need some advice. I am joining civil service after a hiatus from work. I have been asked for SC clearance. I have applied for SC clearance before but was rejected stating credit issues (money related vulnerability). Will this affect my SC clearance again? Can I apply the second time? Is that a claw in the form which I need to declare that it was rejected the first time?

I think you need a sponsor so they will apply on your behalf.

When were you rejected last time?

I wouldn't say anything unless asked. Just answer all the questions honestly.

If you have credit problems they consider you at risk from being bribed.

It can depend how long ago you had credit/finance problems and how long your last SC was run.

After some years (5 or so, I think) they consider the matter closed, ie you aren't "branded for life" just because at some point in your past you had problems with your finances. Many people have money problems, the fact is they are looking for significant matters like bankruptcy, CCJ, etc, which is to them more critical than a relatively short term issue like a credit card bad debt, which gets resolved. It's a points system on your credit rating.

Try checking out your own credit score on ClearScore which is an Equifax online checker. It's worth trying to get your credit score better, so future checks come out cleaner than in the past. See moneysavingexpert.com or similar for techniques to improve your rating.

Thank you. I got another offer so I did not go through the SSC clearance. I really appreciate your suggestions and you gave me piece of mind that I am not "branded" in their system. Good to hear they clear database after 5 years.

OP I know it’s not relevant to you any more so sorry for even asking but is there any chance you could post or PM me about why you failed your SC clearance last time?

I already work for the CS but my clearance has expired and I am waiting for renewal. I have to do the whole form again and I got into financial difficulty after starting the job. I am so terrified I am really not in a position to lose my job but I’m starting to feel that it’s inevitable :(

Does your job need higher security clearance than the bogstandard one? I’m CS too and I know we all got vetted for basic SC a couple of yrs back along with those whole CS. There are people I work with who have quite severe financial problems who passed it no questions asked.

We do work in and area that doesn’t have any real bribery risk though, whether that makes a difference or not I don’t know but I’d imagine it does.

Not for the OP but PP
I've been through SC clearance for CS. SC is higher than the usual checks they do. They will check your financial history, you will be asked to complete a detailed form.

I passed SC with a CCJ and debt issues, I was interviewed, and had to provide further information, I was truthful and explained the circumstances of the debts and how I was managing them.

It is possible to pass with debt problems but you need to be honest and realistic about when you will be debt free- they followed up with for a few years to make sure I was on track.

Hi hedgefund

Thanks for replying, I’m losing sleep over this! No it’s just standard clearance - it’s also not a huge amount of debt either I’d say, relatively speaking. But I’m really worried about not passing as I don’t have any repayment plans, I just kind of buried my head in the sand and according to Experian I have no outstanding balances so does that mean I don’t owe anything?? I’ve never looked at my report before

Sorry cross posted with you Namechange

That sounds tough. I’m really nervous about speaking to people about it but I know I have to do my best to keep this job. Do you think the fact I’ve been working for them with no issues for the past few years will count for anything?

Usually they’re just looking for bankruptcy and court orders - so hope this means you’re in the clear :)
Congrats on the job

Hi VanillaBeans,
sorry for the delay was away from this. They said I had credit problems (I was vulnerable to money) as I had a lot of cash flow and responsibilities on my head. I do have two kids to look after and one income stream so not getting SC clearance was hard. But now I am staying away from such jobs for a while. Like above, give it a rest before coming back to it. and reapply.
Hope it helps!

@vanillabeans

Sorry!! I feel like I have frightened you, that was the opposite of what I intended.

The point I was trying to make was you can pass (I work in a very high profile area, were blackmail/info leaks are a concern). Just be really honest about your debt, and see someone now about getting them under control. I listed debts on my forms that I knew were not on my credit file (I checked beforehand), the interviewer said I was honest and therefore had no concerns. I do think if you already work there it helps, as my reviews (even one year when my debt increased) were much shorter and just a couple of emails.

I hope that helps, I had lots of sleepless nights and was terrified so I do know how it feels.

Namechange thank you for coming back to the thread, that’s very kind :)

I have terrible defaults but no active credit accounts so perhaps I can explain the 19 year old I was and the almost 25 year old I am with 2 kids is a different person now!

You are right though, I’m feeling much more relaxed and dettached because all I can do is lay out my circumstances and see what they say (and apply for new, non government jobs in the mean time)

Hope everything is alright with you now

There are 3 security levels of which Security Check (SC) is the entry level everyone in CS gets.

Re being re-SCd, which is done after a few years, if you are already employed, it would require something really extreme to come up on the new SC for them to withdraw employment if you're already working. If you've been there longer than 2 years, your statutory employment rights prevail. They'd need to be very clear about their concerns and you'd have ample opportunity to give your explanation.

I'd recommend joining the Union (eg Prospect), it's very helpful having Union backing behind you, it's a great safety net in CS.

FYI - CTC and DV are more specialist (eg working with public figures and working in High Security elements of government), SC is the basic. The others are the extra layers depending on role.

VanillaBeans my comments about the re-SC are hopefully reassuring to you.

SC is basic entry level clearance in my area. I have known lots of people with debt (amongst other issues) who have been granted/ awarded SC status. As long as you are open and honest on the form it shouldn't be an issue, they may want to review at regular intervals. I've never heard of anyone having an SC revoked.

@daisychain01 no, CTC is the most basic. SC is one step up

www.gov.uk/guidance/security-vetting-and-clearance

miniecar CTC is only run for a person whose role is working in segregated high security areas, or working with people who might attract a terrorist attack. Say, security staff accompanying President Trump (only example) My point above is that standard Security Clearance is what relates to a person's character, including finances. MOD tends to run the basic check, as it's quicker then does any additional security layers when the person needs to be cleared for special project etc.

As per here:

Counter Terrorist Check (CTC): is carried out if an individual is working in proximity to public figures, or requires unescorted access to certain military, civil, industrial or commercial establishments assessed to be at particular risk from terrorist attack

daisychain thank you so much that really helps and makes me feel better.

I so want to keep my job; I’ve worked there for years and I have a flexible working pattern that will be hard to replicate in a new work place :(

Vanilla obviously no guarantees in life, but you have a chance to defend your position adequately because you are already in the organisation, have in-roads to their processes and you're contributing (new recruits are not always given an opportunity to explain). Financial difficulties are less critical than your employer knowing you can evidence you are taking action to address the matter, debt management, overpayment on mortgage, consolidation with set monthly payments etc.

It's like redundancy - years ago people were stigmatised if they were made redundant, nowadays it is not seen as a reflection on an individual, it has become widely accepted, it's a painful reality.

Likewise, debt is now part and parcel of the complex modern world. Attitudes to financial problems are gradually being more balanced and pragmatic over time, employers are aware people are struggling in harsh economic circumstances and there are many ways debt rears its ugly head (bereavement, divorce and MH being a few). I hope things work out well so you have peace of mind.

I somewhat misstated the CTC above - it's to ensure the person being checked hasn't been involved in past terrorist activities, member of any terrorist/fundamental groups etc, to de-risk any possibility of a high profile person being put under threat.