At Value Match, we have identified an increased need for high quality candidates who have some form of active security clearance in place as we continue to support private and public sector customers to recruit candidates for security cleared procurement roles. Overall the market is highly competitive and this is especially the case for security cleared procurement and programme management specialists, which is good news for candidates.
Often there is a lack of understanding of security clearance and what specific type of clearance is required for different types of roles. Our aim is to give you a clear understanding of the different types of security clearances, how security clearances are obtained, their duration and how they lapse.
The benefits of a security clearance
The benefits of obtaining a security clearance mean that candidates can access a broader range of permanent and interim procurement roles across the private and public sector. Security clearance is often required for many public sector roles. As there is a shortage of security cleared candidates, roles that require a security clearance often advertise higher day-rates and salaries. Surveys suggest that there is a 10-20% increase in salaries for security cleared professionals. Obtaining your initial security clearance whether as an individual or through a sponsoring organisation, your initial security clearance paves the way for higher clearances, more visibility of roles and potentially higher salaries.Types of Security Clearance
In the United Kingdom, security clearance assesses an individual’s suitability to work with sensitive information. It is required when applying for roles within some of the departments in central government, organisations such as the police or armed forces and other organisations in both the private and public sector that are required to comply with the security procedures set by the government. Security clearance is required to protect assets against threats from hostile intelligence services, cyber security threats, terrorists, and other pressure groups.Accreditation Check (AC)
An Accreditation Check is usually valid for up to five years, a sponsoring organisation should comply with ongoing provisions of data as required by the aviation security regulations. If this isn’t done, an Accreditation Check is only valid for up to 12 months. This security clearance is usually only required for an Airport Identification Card or UK air carrier crew where you’d be working airside of an airport unescorted.Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)
The Baseline Personnel Security Standard is completed by everyone when they are recruited into a new role and is part of the onboarding process. This is not a formal security clearance and aims only to provide a level of assurance for new employees. This process is conducted by a recruitment agency, external vetting team or employer and will cover things such as references, passport/identity check and proof of address (right to work), visa information (if applicable) etc.Disclosure & Barring Services Checks (DBS Check)
Standard DBS checks and enhanced DBS checks provide details of spent and unspent convictions and can be applied for anytime by an individual or by the sponsoring organisation. Enhanced checks also include details of non-conviction information if relevant. This is a common requirement for public sector workers and can be consistently renewed on a yearly basis to secure roles within organisations such as local government and the NHS. To request a basic DBS check, see https://www.gov.uk/request-copy-criminal-recordCounter Terrorist Check (CTC )
A Counter Terrorist Check is required for candidates working near public figures, who have access to material and information, or have unrestricted access to government commercial establishments that may be considered vulnerable to terrorist attack. CTC clearance includes BPSS, departmental / company records check, security questionnaire, criminal record check and security service check. Candidates applying for CTC clearance must have been a resident in the UK for a minimum of 3 years.Security Check (SC)
A Security Check is carried out when individuals will have access to SECRET or TOP SECRET assets. The full SC clearance process includes: BPSS, departmental / company records check, security questionnaire, criminal record check, credit reference check, security service check. This process can take between 1-3 months (aim usually is for 4-6 weeks) and is completed prior to a candidate starting work. Candidates applying for SC clearance must have been a resident in the UK for a minimum of 5 years.Enhanced Security Check (eSC)
The Enhanced Security Check allows for uncontrolled access up to SECRET assets and occasionally, controlled access to TOP SECRET assets. This security clearance is usually required for roles where additional levels of assurance are required over a Security Clearance but not to the level of a Developed Vetting clearance.Developed Vetting (DV)
Developed Vetting is the most complex and comprehensive security clearance. It is essential for posts that have frequent access to TOP SECRET material. DV clearance has a process which follows a variety of mandatory vetting stages and can take up to 9 months to be completed and granted. This process includes; BPSS, departmental / company record check, DV security questionnaire, criminal record check, credit reference check and review of personal finances, security service check, medical and psychological information check, interviews with the applicant and their character references and current / previous supervisors. The clearance is only valid for a pre-determined period (usually 3- 7 years) and a security appraisal is carried out annually. It is reviewed after this to see if it is still required. Candidates applying for DV clearance must have been a resident in the UK for a minimum of 10 years.Enhanced Developed Vetting (eDV)
The Enhanced Developed Vetting is required for a very small number of posts where additional level of assurance is required above the standard Developed Vetting clearance. This level of clearance can only be requested by a small number of sponsors and only with prior agreement with UKSC and the Cabinet Office. For more information on security clearance please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/united-kingdom-security-vetting How to get and maintain Security Clearance Becoming CTC, SC, DV security cleared is not easy and can only be requested by an employer/sponsor. It must be carried out by the United Kingdom Security Vetting unit (UKSV). There is no facility for individuals or independent limited companies to take out or apply for security clearances themselves. Private sector organisations can only obtain security clearances if the organisation has been LIST X approved. Being part of LIST X requires that the organisation has been awarded, or in the process of being contracted, to work on classified projects. Once you have been security cleared you may be able to transfer this over to a new employer if clearance is also required for your new role or the organisation is a LIST X company. Once you have been security cleared, it will remain active for the duration advised in the application. This will vary depending on the clearance you have (typically between 5-10 years). If you leave a role which required security clearance and do not go to another organisation where the clearance is required, it will lapse after 12 months of inactive use. Once lapsed, if you secure another role which requires some form of security clearance, you will have to complete clearance checks again. When you leave a role in which you are DV cleared this clearance will reduce to SC clearance level for a period of 12 months from your employment end date and then will lapse completely. SC clearance will lapse after 12 months from the date you left the position. If you start a role while your security clearance is being completed (whether it be first time or if it is being renewed) you will start your role with a clearance at BPSS level while your higher clearance is being processed. During this time, you will have restricted site access and may need to be escorted around your place of work until your full clearances are in place.Can you be refused Security Clearances?
An applicant can be refused security clearance. The vetting team need to ensure you do not prove a threat, you can be trusted, and you have a verifiable background. If you are refused security clearance and you are unhappy with the decision, you can appeal through the independent security vetting Appeals Panel. Reasons for refusal include:- UK Residency – you must have been a resident in the UK for; 4 out of 5 years for SC and 9 out of 10 for DV
- Financial History – you have financial irregularities i.e. CCJ’s or high levels of debt
- Employment History – if you have gaps in your employment history
- Criminal Record – if you have any spent or unspent convictions that weren’t declared or if convictions are a potential threat
- Family History – if you have any family tied to radical groups, terrorism, espionage etc.
- Missing Information – if you do not answer or refuse to provide response to questions asked
-
Support Provided by Value Match
Value Match have extensive experience in supporting our candidates secure their next role in a security cleared environment, and our growing candidate network provides our customers with the best in class, readily available security cleared candidates for their next role. If you are having trouble finding a security cleared candidate to join your team in an interim or permanent capacity, contact our resourcing team, we have a network of security cleared candidates.
- Published
