Does anybody know about Government security clearances?

[WhatAmIGoingToDo]

I've just been given a new project at work which involves working on Government sites and the possibility that I may be privvy to 'secret' information.

So this afternoon I sat and filled out a form for my 'SC' and 'CTC' security checks.

One of the sections was regarding finances and I had to declare that I have CCJ's registered against me and also that I've defaulted on a loan agreement (hence the CCJ's).

My question is will the fact that I have these mean that they will refuse me clearance? And, if they do refuse me, can my employer then terminate my contract with them or anything?

I am a permanent employee and have worked for the same employer for about 5 years. I love my job and am just a bit scared about what will happen once I send this form back.

What they want is a full and honest disclosure, and to ensure that you aren't in so much debt that you might be willing to sell classified information.

If you have cleared the debt, and theres nothing you aren't telling them, you could well be OK

I havent cleared the debt yet but I am paying it off monthly and havent missed any of these monthly payments.

I also have other credit now - mobile phone contract, mail order catalogue now which is all up to date and no deafaults.

More likely to be concerned if there is debt you fail to declare, which on background checks are discovered. Unless you are directly involved with handling government money (says my dh ex gov hr manager)

Sc is security and ctc is counter terrorism check.

IME honesty is the best policy

Thanks Doris.

No I wont be handling money at all, it's work on Ministry of Defence sites so more arms and ammunition rather than money.

Not sure if that makes it better or worse

I'd agree with all of the other posters. They just want to make sure that you're not going to be open to bribery etc.

So if I do fail the checks will I still be able to go on sites as long as I'm escorted? (which I've done already this week)

Or will I be refused access altogether?

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If you fail to declare it then you are more likely to be turned down than if you declare it at the beginning.

They'll want to see how you're dealing with it and make sure that you can't be susceptible to blackmail or selling secrets.

OH has his DV review meeting on monday and the list of documents he has to take is huge. They want to know everything about our lives (although this came in handy once, they uncovered a line of credit in OH's name that we hadn't opened)

Unlikely you'll fail this check on basis of declared CCJs. If you did fail you wouldn't be allowed on site at all. You would probably fail a PV or EPV but it doesn't look like you're being subjected to those.

about 20 yeasr ago i used to process these between contractors and the police. it was really only criminal convictions they were looking for.

that was pre-counterterrorism stuff of course but ccjs are pretty common and you have declared them so i am sure it will be fine.

do you know how long it takes them to process it?

Thanks for your replies. I have given some detail on the form as to why I have the CCJ's etc. So hopefully you're right and it will come back fine

fishie - apparently it can take up to 3 months to come back

Incidentally, I'm already police checked for working in police stations/prisons etc.

hi i hope you can help. i have to go through a security clearance and ive been told that if you or close people to you (family) are in heavy debt, they assume i am more likely to be blackmailed etc...
i have to give my parents details on the form. I am estranged from my mother for a few years now. i don?t know where she lives. all i have is a mobile number, which is always switched off apart from when she rings me on my birthday and on Christmas and that?s all i hear from her. i know she has BIG financial problems and am worried that het 'issues' could stop be getting clearance, even though i don?t know where she is or speak to her

can anyone give advice on the best way to deal with this issue?