SC clearance queries.
Discussion
A mate of mine called me the other day a little panicked as he's been in the process of getting a new job for about 6 months.
He's now going through SC clearance but is worried that a previous arrest and high volumes of debt may effect his chances.
He was arrested when he was about 17 for a rape allegation which later turned out to be false, so he wasn't charged.
He's also concerned that he has a large volume of debt, he hasn't told me but he said it's in the tens of thousands. He's told me that he's never missed a payment, but is worried the amount of owing will cause issues.
Now I've tried to reassure him, but I know little about the SC stuff, so I was wondering whether anyone else would know any more than me about it?
He's now going through SC clearance but is worried that a previous arrest and high volumes of debt may effect his chances.
He was arrested when he was about 17 for a rape allegation which later turned out to be false, so he wasn't charged.
He's also concerned that he has a large volume of debt, he hasn't told me but he said it's in the tens of thousands. He's told me that he's never missed a payment, but is worried the amount of owing will cause issues.
Now I've tried to reassure him, but I know little about the SC stuff, so I was wondering whether anyone else would know any more than me about it?
I too don't know much but I think that the arrest won't show up on the checks if it has been at least 5 years since? I could be way off here but it rings a bell...
The debt may raise some questions, however it shouldn't affect his prospects unless it is a REALLY high risk/profile position he is in where a bribe may appeal to him as a result of such debt. Even so, the employer or third party will most likely aim to delve deeper rather than giving a resounded 'NO', they will look to interview ex-colleagues, friends/family and professionals before making a decision.
The debt may raise some questions, however it shouldn't affect his prospects unless it is a REALLY high risk/profile position he is in where a bribe may appeal to him as a result of such debt. Even so, the employer or third party will most likely aim to delve deeper rather than giving a resounded 'NO', they will look to interview ex-colleagues, friends/family and professionals before making a decision.
S9JTO said:
I too don't know much but I think that the arrest won't show up on the checks if it has been at least 5 years since? I could be way off here but it rings a bell...
The debt may raise some questions, however it shouldn't affect his prospects unless it is a REALLY high risk/profile position he is in where a bribe may appeal to him as a result of such debt. Even so, the employer or third party will most likely aim to delve deeper rather than giving a resounded 'NO', they will look to interview ex-colleagues, friends/family and professionals before making a decision.
He's mid 20's now, so it was over 5 years ago. The debt may raise some questions, however it shouldn't affect his prospects unless it is a REALLY high risk/profile position he is in where a bribe may appeal to him as a result of such debt. Even so, the employer or third party will most likely aim to delve deeper rather than giving a resounded 'NO', they will look to interview ex-colleagues, friends/family and professionals before making a decision.
Regarding the debt, From understanding it's a couple of loans to clear credit cards, and he got into difficulty (lost his job) and had to pay everything off by credit card to survive for a few months until he was back in another job. He also said, and I lectured him on it, that he took a loan out to help his Fianceé as she was racking up her own credit card debts to cover him as he was the main bread winner.
He's told me that he doesn't miss a single payment, and now earns more than enough to cover everything. He hasn't got anybody chasing him, or any IVAs or bankruptcy notices against him.
SC doesn't usually involve an interview - it's a paper based process, so what S9JTO describes probably relates more to DV.
SC is a little bit more thorough than a basic Counter Terrorism Check. It's about on the same level of checking as say applying for a car loan. (a few previous addresses, credit check etc). I would say he's probably fine based on what you've described. It's quite unusual to 'fail' an SC check, and it's usually quite extreme circumstances from what I've seen.
SC is a little bit more thorough than a basic Counter Terrorism Check. It's about on the same level of checking as say applying for a car loan. (a few previous addresses, credit check etc). I would say he's probably fine based on what you've described. It's quite unusual to 'fail' an SC check, and it's usually quite extreme circumstances from what I've seen.
SC clearance has a large element of honesty & being open to bribery.
As long as you don't lie and you disclose everything that they ask, there should be no problems. Issues arise when you have a partner who is from a country which is "non-grata", and/or you lie on the BPSS form.
You can get SC Clearance with a criminal record.
Debt is more likely an issue if you wish to work at an Investment Bank.
As long as you don't lie and you disclose everything that they ask, there should be no problems. Issues arise when you have a partner who is from a country which is "non-grata", and/or you lie on the BPSS form.
You can get SC Clearance with a criminal record.
Debt is more likely an issue if you wish to work at an Investment Bank.
Your friend has debt which is serviceable and as you note he is paying it without arrears: no issue for SC.
If I read correctly your friend hasn’t been convicted of a crime: no issue for SC.
Echoing a previous poster, it’s possible to gain SC *with* an earlier conviction.
I’m only an internet poster obviously but I reckon your friend can chill
If I read correctly your friend hasn’t been convicted of a crime: no issue for SC.
Echoing a previous poster, it’s possible to gain SC *with* an earlier conviction.
I’m only an internet poster obviously but I reckon your friend can chill
That was what I was trying to say to him, as long as he's up to date and not in arrears and he wasn't charged when he was arrested, then he should be fine. I said, worst case is, they ask and you would need to explain why re the debt and arrest.
He said he answered everything truthfully. He doesn't work in the banking sector so he should be ok RE this.
He said he answered everything truthfully. He doesn't work in the banking sector so he should be ok RE this.
Blanchimont said:
That was what I was trying to say to him, as long as he's up to date and not in arrears and he wasn't charged when he was arrested, then he should be fine. I said, worst case is, they ask and you would need to explain why re the debt and arrest.
He said he answered everything truthfully. He doesn't work in the banking sector so he should be ok RE this.
Its been a few years since I went through SC/DV. When I was at the police they did SC and then a separate financial disclosure form. On that I had to put all debt. The SC form doesn't ask about debt as far as I recall. They will do a credit check but that is a scoring like a lender, they wont see the balances.He said he answered everything truthfully. He doesn't work in the banking sector so he should be ok RE this.
As someone mentioned about, its a lot about honesty. Manageable debt and arrests don't mean a no, but lying is likely to result in instant rejection.
One of the guys I worked with at the police had a sketchy past. He had to have an interview but was still cleared after that.
They will check criminal records going back until childhood (if applicable). Seeing as charges were dropped, he doesn't have a criminal record (just a PNC one). It might be prudent to still mention it though and to point out that all charges were dropped. Financial questions do ask about CCJs, but I cant remember about current loans/repayments etc. They will obviously be checked though.
As mentioned, its an honesty thing. Far better to mention "too much" and say "not sure if needs to be detailed, but mentioning it just in case" than have them find out something you forgot to mention. If its all being done on-line via Cerberus then your employers wont find out anything mentioned. If its done on paper forms, then seal them in an envelope before handing to company HR dept and insist on seeing the sealed form being placed within another envelope for posting.
As mentioned, its an honesty thing. Far better to mention "too much" and say "not sure if needs to be detailed, but mentioning it just in case" than have them find out something you forgot to mention. If its all being done on-line via Cerberus then your employers wont find out anything mentioned. If its done on paper forms, then seal them in an envelope before handing to company HR dept and insist on seeing the sealed form being placed within another envelope for posting.
Dep;ends on the clearance
Some firms will be a no no, I ahve had it numerous times and though not having any arrests, hvae had numerous times without work and they are fine.
Depends on what clearance, if it is just the crap Scotland thing you will be fine, but the arrests might be a phonecall or something to clear
Or they will simply not let you work there.
Some firms will be a no no, I ahve had it numerous times and though not having any arrests, hvae had numerous times without work and they are fine.
Depends on what clearance, if it is just the crap Scotland thing you will be fine, but the arrests might be a phonecall or something to clear
Or they will simply not let you work there.
chunder27 said:
Dep;ends on the clearance
Some firms will be a no no, I ahve had it numerous times and though not having any arrests, hvae had numerous times without work and they are fine.
Depends on what clearance, if it is just the crap Scotland thing you will be fine, but the arrests might be a phonecall or something to clear
Or they will simply not let you work there.
Scotland thing isn’t ‘clearance’ - its just a CRB check.Some firms will be a no no, I ahve had it numerous times and though not having any arrests, hvae had numerous times without work and they are fine.
Depends on what clearance, if it is just the crap Scotland thing you will be fine, but the arrests might be a phonecall or something to clear
Or they will simply not let you work there.
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