Security vetting

[revenuew]

I have a few job offers at the moment but for the dream one, may need to go through enhanced pre employment checks/security vetting. I was just wondering if anyone else has vaguely been through similar and could give a bit of a handhold.

I am finding the process stressful, and don’t have anyone to discuss how I’m feeling with in real life. It’s just the feeling of having a spotlight on my personal life and events outside of my control. I can’t help but wonder if I may end up being reprimanded if I don’t pass the checks. On balance there’s no major red flags but I’m not the decision maker! Wondering if it’s better if I just withdraw from the process.

As several people have explained, @revenuew , the problem isn't what they find out, it's what they find out that you hadn't already told them .

Be honest about everything, they already know about the inside of your bank accounts, your previous work, your family, your marriage/relationship, your porn/gambling/drug habit. And they're not interested.

They will be interested if you tell them your husband never goes overdrawn when they've got copies of his bank statements showing that he does.

I’m concerned about a bit of both. It’s hard to explain without outing myself.

I am wondering what may be questioned in my checks as I am not completely sure what information the vetting team have access to. However I am familiar with certain systems that I am making the assumption that they will use to vet me. Plus I read about the other sources of information that they will check from the vetting website.

So mentally I’m trying to think what my record might show on the systems they will use and if there’s a mismatch from what I have provided.

I’m finding myself worried about whether I have been open about everything and trying to pre-empt anything that may come up. If I’m being honest, I did rush the form and now I’m kicking myself because I should have spent more time getting enough information down before submission. As the days go on I keep thinking about other things that may crop up.

I could completely be overthinking things. I doubt anything in my checks is a massive red flag but at the same time it’s probably an ignorance is bliss situation - it doesn’t help that I am familiar with certain systems and although I’ve never searched myself, I can almost predict what might appear. I haven’t always made the best decisions and there’s a backstory behind some of it which I touched upon in the disclosure form but perhaps could have given more details

That's absolutely fine, they'll ask and you'll explain the full background.
They're looking for people who are vulnerable to blackmail because they're hiding something, not people who didn't go into enough detail because they'd never been vetted before.

I've been through sc clearance several times given my past civilian police role and now my current role in the private sector. As someone else has said, its more about what you've not said any indication you may be susceptible to blackmail. I've had past financial struggles and declare it every time. Usually takes around 8-10 weeks to come through if no backlog.
Only time Ive had one bounce back was when I'd forgotten to add my stepmums dob in but quickly rectified.
DH also works in a security role with the same private sector employer - he has a PNC record and declares his previous offences, even though spent, every time and no issue with sc clearance.

Another factor causing my mind to overrun is whether failing vetting could impact my current job even if I don’t need vetting as part of my current job. Eg if I fail, whether I’d be escorted off the premises as someone earlier referenced even though vetting isn’t a requirement of my current job. Presumably failing vetting should just mean I can’t take the new job, but not sure what the consequences are if you’re a current employee of the same company requiring the vetting.

Yup developed vetting is a right pain in the Jax. Adult DS was the one being vetted and both me and DH had to be interviewed. The person came to the house stayed about 2 hours and didn't crack a smile once. DS best friend and a random ex-girlfriend were both interviewed as well.

@Neverpostagain oh god! But what if the people they are interviewing don’t like you, eg your son’s ex could have said your son was a horrible boyfriend even if untrue.

My advice is tell/admit everything. I have vetting regularly and the only time I've known people to fail is when they find something you haven't declared.

@revenuew your current job wouldn't get the result from the security vetting though, they aren't the ones applying for it. You are overthinking

@MuthaHubbard i hope that’s the case but I’ve had to put my line manager’s details down - it seems from the form that they would be notified. my sponsor sent the form to the vetting team but the form only has their contact details under “anyone else who needs to be informed of result”. So presumably my manager would be informed as bare minimum, and my sponsor informed additionally.

I have BPSS and enhanced. It was a PITA. I'm adopted, couldn't answer half the questions, it was fine.

From my previous role if people had criminal convictions from longer than 8 years ago they'd assess the risk and do an independent assessment.

I agree with PP I am vetted to this level and have additional security clearance for a specific part of my role, it takes ages even though I've been vetted to this level for a while. I have family members with convictions, I was fairly politically active in my youth. I also have people in my team with spent convictions. None of this has presented a barrier, not disclosing anything even something small is the issue, we had a recruit denied recently because they failed to disclose a short driving ban from about 15-20 years ago (build up of points rather than anything dangerous/substance related), she thought it was expired so didn't disclose, but you have to disclose everything on these kinds of checks, we appealed it as an oversight/error she was still rejected.

And also one lady was withdrawn the job offer on the basis she had not been open and honest about her bankruptcy. It wasn't the fact she had ever been bankrupt but the moral side of the issue, that she had been asked and she had not been truthful.

I have been truthful in my application but I wouldn’t be surprised if they asked more questions as I didn’t give a lot of detail.

eg I flagged up what may appear on my credit report.

I don’t have anything major to hide but I’m worried about looking dishonest as others have alluded to is the main issue they are looking for, so now I’m thinking if I gave enough information. But I’ve definitely drawn attention to the things that would flag, just haven’t really elaborated or given context or wrote anything more than a few words.

I wouldn't worry. I have seen many forms where they have not been elaborated as such or I'd need more information to just clarify what the person meant. If the explanation is plausible it's fine. Don't stress OP, I have also had many people chasing for the progress of their application. If you get a response like "I'll get back to you" or "if I require anything further I will reach out" it's all good & they are probably letting the vetting go through its process. Keep in mind if they do need and further information from you, they have what they need in front of them already they just need some confirmation.

Just out of interest, what would happen if further information is requested but the person withdrew from the process? I have noticed the website says you can withdraw at any time.

You're free to do so. But that would mean you don't get the job. You may need to provide a reason for withdrawing if they raise the question. But they can't stop you.

I ve had both SC and Dv clearance and been a referee for Dv, they don't visit your house for these levels, its done via telephone.

SC is a very standard procedure, you really are worrying about nothing, egged on by some inaccurate posts e.g you might have to explain why you're withdrawing or they'll interview you at home for 2 hours.... bollox.

I ve had SC/DV clearance and official secrets since the 80s.

Any skeletons in your cupboard? they already know about them i.e a relative who has a crim conviction? he/she has been through the justice system, what do you think you re going to tell them that they don't already know?

Clearance is about your honesty and potential for blackmail.

I'm quite offended at the PP who says people are saying things are inaccurate when it was literally my job to do these checks for 6 years.

I'm awaiting vetting clearance at the moment and am also worrying.
I did have to declare some things on there and at least a couple of times a day it enters my mind that I won't pass.
I completed the forms in September and at the end of March I received confirmation they were conducting my vetting and I received 3 requests for extra Information, it has since gone quiet which is making me worry more as I know I'm not in the queue anymore and they're now working on my file.
If I had known the level of intrusion and stress this would cause me for months I wouldn't have applied.

Can I ask a question.. when you start a vetting file do you work on it until its finished or do you start it and then set it aside? I know mine has been started as I was contacted for further information
I've chased progress on mine and the staff member apologised for not completing it and said due to workload and priorities there is a backlog.
Just wondering if this indicates a problem or not.
Thanks

I had two types of security vetting a few years back. I had to declare my ex husband's details when I put my married name down (I reverted to my maiden name after separating) as he had been in a juvenile borstal for robbery when he was a teenager.

I declared it all and whatever else might have come up, it didn't stop me working there. It was all fine.